Hon. Sammi Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has praised students of the Senior High Technical School for the Deaf in Mampong for their courage and clarity in proposing reforms to improve deaf education in Ghana.
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, June 18, Hon. Awuku said the students, during a recent engagement, presented thoughtful and actionable recommendations that Parliament and the Ministry of Education must take seriously.
“Mr. Speaker, these young people are not waiting to be rescued. They are telling us exactly what they need—and it is our responsibility to listen and act,” he stated.
According to him, the students raised deep concerns about the current national curriculum, which they believe does not adequately address the unique learning needs of hearing-impaired students.
He explained that teachers are often forced to repeat lessons multiple times due to comprehension challenges, and that the structure of assessments does not accommodate the different ways in which deaf students learn.
In response, the students proposed a comprehensive review of the curriculum to better reflect their learning realities.
They called for the inclusion of sign language-based instructional materials and visual learning tools, as well as the simplification of content to enhance understanding.
They also advocated for longer teaching and assessment periods to give students sufficient time to grasp concepts and express themselves effectively.
In addition, they recommended the recruitment and training of more sign language interpreters to improve classroom communication.
They further appealed for the provision of specialised learning aids and continuous professional development opportunities for teachers involved in deaf education.
Beyond curriculum matters, Hon. Awuku also highlighted infrastructural challenges that compromise student safety and well-being.
