A Learning Disability (also referred to as learning difficulty) is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities, which affects someone for their whole life. Some everyday activities that can be impacted by a Learning Disability are household tasks, socializing with others, gaining and maintaining employment.
People with a Learning Disability often have difficulty and take time to learn, and may need support to develop new skills, understand complicated information, and interact with other people. The level of support for a person with a Learning Disability depends on the level or severity of the Learning Disability; therefore, some people may need more support than others.
Someone with a mild Learning Disability may only need support with things like learning self-care skills, independence, or getting a job. However, someone with a severe Learning Disability (sometimes multiple disabilities) may need full-time care and support with every aspect of their life. People with certain specific medical conditions can have a Learning Disability too. For example, people with Down’s syndrome and some people with autism have a Learning Disability.
In Botswana, research shows that the country has a long way to go in order for education for those with Learning Disabilities to be at its optimum level. At present we have a few private institutions that serve those with Learning Disabilities. Unfortunately, for the larger population of Batswana who may not be able to afford such private services, they are limited to our public institutions which often struggle with appropriate and efficient resources.
In our government schools there are Special Classes, which serve students of all age ranges with Mild to Severe Learning Disabilities. Botswana is equipped with qualified personnel with expertise in the field of Learning Difficulties as well as knowledgeable of its needs, unfortunately this seems to not be reflected in our institutions. Our Special Classes are often overpopulated and understaffed and challenged with appropriate resources such as special education materials and equipment, special education personnel as well as infrastructure.
Even to get an assessment conducted in order to determine the needs and support of students with Learning Disabilities is a challenge as the only public institution that provides this service is the Central Resource Centre in Tlokweng, which has very limited personnel to address the whole entire country. This is why foundations such as The Gaositwe Chiepe Trust are integral in working towards improving our education systems to better serve those with Learning Disabilities. In addition to providing support to existing entities, the Trust will also advocate for improved systems for those living with Learning Disabilities.
