The Rungwe District Council in Mbeya Region has received more than TZS 249 million from the Central Government to rehabilitate and upgrade the health facility at Katumba (2) Special School for Children with Disabilities, in a bid to improve healthcare services and the learning environment for learners with special needs.
Rungwe District Executive Director Renatus Mchau said the renovation works at the school’s health centre are in their final phase, marking a significant milestone in strengthening support services for vulnerable children.
He said Katumba (2) Special School, located in Ibigi Ward, currently enrols more than 250 pupils drawn from within and outside the district, offering specialised education tailored to children with disabilities.
Mr Mchau said the council has recently completed the construction of a dormitory with capacity for more than 80 learners, enhancing accommodation and overall student welfare. He added that the Central Government has also provided funds for the construction of a new administration block.
“The government continues to prioritise improving learning conditions for children with special needs, and we are grateful for this sustained investment,” he said.
According to Mr Mchau, the TZS 249 million allocation is being used to upgrade the existing health facility through the construction of a staff house, a patient ward and improved sanitation facilities, with most of the projects nearing completion.
He urged parents and guardians of children with disabilities to engage with the council to ensure their children access education and essential services, noting that the government disburses more than TZS 14 million monthly to support meals and improve the school’s operational environment.
A parent from Ibigi Ward, Ms Zawadi Amanyisye, said the presence of the school has encouraged more families to enrol their children, although stigma remains a barrier in some households.
“Keeping children with disabilities at home denies them their basic right to education. The government is investing heavily in this school, and parents should take advantage of that,” she said.
Meanwhile, Acting District Education Officer for Pre-Primary and Primary Education Kotasi Mbwilo said the council is continuing to strengthen education infrastructure under the BOOST Project, including the construction of new classrooms and sanitation facilities across schools in the district.
At Katumba (2) Special School, he said the government has allocated TZS 88 million for the construction of three classrooms and additional toilets, with the projects currently at an advanced stage.