By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Hearing-impaired persons in Edo State on Tuesday decried the paucity of qualified teachers in the special secondary school for the deaf in the state.

“It’s not our making to be deaf. But we are out today to break that long silence,” members of the Edo State  Deaf Community said as they peacefully marched in Benin, the state capital, to draw attention to their plight.

The leader of the deaf community, Ekhorutomwen Iyobosa, who is also the South-south coordinator, while speaking on behalf of his members, lamented the poor teaching infrastructure available for hearing-impaired persons in the state, including a lack of qualified teachers.

“As we  speak now, there’re only four teachers teaching classes 1-3 in the primary schools.  So, I urge the governor to employ more special teachers and deaf people into the State’s broadcast outfit, general hospital and all public event,” Iyobosa said, adding that several attempts to see the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, or draw his attention to their case had proved futile.

He called on the governor to change the office of senior special assistant on physically challenged to SSA on disability matter, adding that the state has as many as 85, 000 deaf people.