Support material for deaf learners
David Masango and Shadi Baloyi
9 March 2004
The government has launched an educational support material package for deaf learners, created and developed by deaf people and including videos and other interactive material, that will give South Africa's deaf learners crucial life skills and education on topical social and health-related issues, including HIV-Aids.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Education Minister Kader Asmal launched the South African Sign Language Videos, Learning and Teaching Support Materials in Johannesburg last week.
The support material includes videos presented by deaf people using South African Sign Language, learner activity books, educational wall charts and an educator manual. The material will be distributed at the country's 42 public institutions caterign for deaf learners aged three to 18.
The material was conceptualised, created and executed by deaf people and covers areas such as language development for deaf learners, facts about HIV-Aids,
gender roles, peer pressure and substance abuse.
Issues of sexual harassment, coping with grief, developing realistic self-esteem, as well as coping with physical and emotional changes, are also covered in the syllabus.
Learners are also presented with information on how to cope with relationships and how to get help for health problems.
Speaking at the launch, Tshabalala-Msimang said it was important that all learners, including the deaf, acquired information on a variety of social and health-related issues as early as possible.
She said deaf children should also learn to develop skills to deal with issues effectively and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Source: BuaNews
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