Every child with a disability in Kenya — no matter his/her nature/condition — has the right to go to school. SEP ensures teachers, parents and caregivers receive information and training that helps them to better understand their children with disabilities, how to integrate them in school and support them in their individual learning processes. Furthermore, SEP is raising awareness on inclusive education. It aims at reducing stigma, discrimination and prejudice that prevent children with disabilities from accessing education on equal terms with others.
How does it work?
SEP identifies children for inclusive education and partners with regular schools close to the partner organisations it works with. The teachers go through workshops on how to include a child with disabilities in their class. SEP creates individualised educational programs for the learners, makes regular follow ups to check how the learner is progressing, and works with the teachers on any challenges they may face. The teachers receive training and support to better understand different disabilities, and to use individualised teaching strategies. The SEP team offers a transdisciplinary intervention to address all needs of the child once in the regular classroom.
SEP organises Peer Workshops to enhance peer understanding and acceptance. SEP has published seven books titled “This is Me” for children for the same purpose. The books feature Gloria, a learner with Down Syndrome, Samuel, a learner with Autism, Peter, a learner with Cerebral Palsy, Joy, a learner with Dyslexia, Anne, a learner with Albinism and low vision, Ken, a learner with hearing impairment and Tom, a learner with ADHD. You can purchase the books in our shop.
From January 2021 to March 2023, Comundo supported a project on inclusive education for children in pre-primary 1 and 2, and primary 1 to 3 in 4 schools in Nairobi.
The journey to incorporate inclusion may be long and challenging at times, but ultimately this journey can benefit ALL children.