By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 24th September 2026- Calls for inclusive education rang out on Wednesday as Sierra Leone joined the world in commemorating the International Day of Sign Languages. At the centre of the debate was a plea from a veteran teacher at the school for the deaf, who urged authorities to prioritise sign language in teacher training and ensure that learning materials are accessible to Deaf children.
The event, organised by the Beckma Empowerment Initiative (BEMI) under the theme “Our Hands, Our Voices, Our Rights,” brought together students, teachers, disability advocates and government representatives.
Mrs Marvel Kalokoh, who has taught Deaf children for 18 years, said English-only textbooks remain a major barrier. “Many of the available materials are written in English, making it difficult for some students to fully understand and engage,” she explained. Kalokoh added that her work is driven by a belief that Deaf children deserve love, care and support, but warned that stigma and discrimination continue to erode their confidence.
She called on government to embed sign language in teacher-training curricula and develop textbooks tailored to Deaf learners.
Ivanson A. Kargbo, Programme Lead at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, reminded participants that the Persons with Disability Act guarantees free education. He said the Commission is working to enforce this provision so children with disabilities can thrive as “future leaders.”
Samantha Konneh, Head of Disability Inclusion at BEMI, stressed that sign language is more than a tool of communication; it is central to dignity, identity and equal opportunity. “We must create environments where Deaf people can participate fully in everyday life,” she said.
Representatives from the school for the deaf and the Social Welfare Department echoed the call for collaboration among schools, government and communities to dismantle barriers.
For Manty Sulma Beckley, BEMI’s Founder and Executive Director, the commemoration was a chance to spotlight the rights of Deaf children. “We must create spaces where children with disabilities feel valued, supported and empowered,” she said.
The International Day of Sign Languages, observed annually, highlights the role of sign language in realising the human rights of Deaf people. This year’s commemoration in Sierra Leone underscored that inclusion is not only about recognising sign language, it is about ensuring that Deaf children have the tools, teachers and opportunities to learn, participate and thrive.
