In this blog post, I will share some insights and best practices on how to support students with special needs and disabilities in education in Kenya. I will draw on the experiences and achievements of various organizations and institutions that are working to promote inclusive education in the country.

Introduction

According to the 2011 World Report on Disability, there are between 93 and 150 million children with disabilities under the age of 14 globally, and an estimated 6.4% of them are in Africa. However, less than 10% of all children with disabilities under the age of 14 are attending school in Africa. This means that millions of children with disabilities are missing out on the opportunity to learn and develop their potential.

Exclusion of children with disabilities from education has an adverse economic impact at the family, community, and country level. The schooling deficit experienced by children with disabilities can become the most challenging impediment to earning an income and long-run financial health as adults. Recent studies show a positive wage return on education for children with disabilities, while the costs of exclusion of persons with disabilities from the labor market range from 3% to 7% of a country’s GDP.

In Kenya, the government has made some efforts to implement inclusive education policies and programs, such as the National Special Needs Education Policy Framework (2009), the Basic Education Act (2013), and the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE). However, there are still many challenges and gaps that need to be addressed, such as:

  • Lack of physical accessibility of school buildings, classrooms and toilets as well as their neighborhoods;
  • Lack of transportation means to get to school;
  • Lack of accessible learning materials, inflexible curricula, teaching methods and examinations;
  • Lack of teacher and educator knowledge on inclusive teaching practices;
  • Discrimination on the basis of disability.

Promising Initiatives

Fortunately, there are also some promising initiatives and examples of good practice that can inspire and inform future actions. For instance:

  • The Disability-Inclusive Education in Africa Program, a $3 million trust fund established by the World Bank and USAID in 2017, aims to increase access for children with disabilities to primary school and to design and implement inclusive education programs across Africa. The program promotes strategic use of resources for disability inclusion and provides flexible support for emerging needs and priorities in project preparation.
  • The Leonard Cheshire Disability organization has been supporting inclusive education projects in Kenya since 2007, reaching over 10,000 children with disabilities. The organization provides training for teachers and parents, scholarships for students with disabilities, assistive devices and learning materials, school infrastructure improvements, advocacy and awareness-raising activities.
  • The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) is a government institution that facilitates service provision for persons with special needs and disabilities through human capital development, research, functional assessment, rehabilitation, inclusive education practices, technology and production of learning and assistive materials. KISE also offers diploma and certificate programs in special needs education for teachers and other professionals.

How Inclusive Education Can Be Promoted

These are just some examples of how inclusive education can be promoted and implemented in Kenya. There is still a lot of work to be done, but there is also hope and potential for change. As a teacher, a parent, a student, or a citizen, you can play a role in supporting students with special needs and disabilities in education in Kenya. Here are some actions you can take:

  • Learn more about the rights and needs of students with disabilities and how to support them in your classroom or community.
  • Advocate for more funding and resources for inclusive education programs and policies at the local and national level.
  • Collaborate with other stakeholders such as NGOs, government agencies, parents’ associations, disability organizations, etc. to share experiences and best practices on inclusive education.
  • Celebrate the achievements and contributions of students with disabilities and raise awareness about their challenges and opportunities.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every child with special needs and disability accesses quality education and achieves their fullest human potential.