Cavendish University Deputy Vice Chancellor LEADS the Chevening Alumni push for Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities

March 14, 2022 - by The Cavendish Eye

The Chevening Alumni Association of Uganda (CAAU) which unites students who studied in the UK under the Chevening Scholarship programme launched a campaign for inclusive education for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The drive was led by Dr. Olive Sabiiti, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cavendish University Uganda who is also the Head of the Chevening Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities Project.

The campaign started with roundtable discussions on February 26 which called for accelerated inclusive education, specifying affirmative action to increase youthful persons with disabilities access to quality education.

During the roundtable discussions, Dr. Olive Sabiiti observed that “even with the Government offering bursaries to children with disabilities, many parents struggle with meeting the additional costs such as scholastic materials coupled with the stigma and discrimination their children face in schools.”

The participating stakeholders reflected that, there is so much that needs to be put in place practically and specifically the need to cater for children with severe forms of disability such as dyslexia and down syndrome.

The roundtable discussions were followed by a Conference on Wednesday, 9 March 2022 under the theme. ‘Inclusive education for persons with disabilities in Uganda: policies, practice, and possibilities.’ The conference was held by a combination of distinguished experts from different spheres of interest who discussed and committed themselves to promoting and realizing inclusive education in Uganda.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Olive Sabiiti speaking at the conference

Speaking at the event, H.E Ambassador Kate Airey, the British High Commissioner to Uganda who also doubles as the Chevening Alumni Patron said that; “The UK Government is committed to and shall continue supporting the development of inclusive education with particular emphasis on girls’ education and supporting all other vulnerable groups”.

British High Commissioner H.E Kate Airey speaking at the conference

“Issues related to equality, diversity, and inclusion are extremely important to us and I am glad that after today’s conference, we intend to walk away with practical actions to support inclusive education in Uganda,” she remarked.

Peace Sserunkuma, the KCCA Lord Councilor for people with disabilities urged that inclusive education is everyone’s effort which starts at a family level. “I hope all stakeholders can push for a life where all the disabled can go to school and cohabit with other good-abled students;” she said.

Dr. Patrick Ojok, a senior lecturer and disability inclusion consultant at Makerere University said that it’s high time all stakeholders shift from the 18th-century mindset of not regarding people with disabilities rights holders and should start working towards inclusive education.

Ketty Lamaro, the Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary (PS) assured participants that the government is committed to promoting inclusive education under the 2030 sustainable development Agenda which is to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning.

Ketty Lamaro, The Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary

The PS sighted a full department under the Ministry of Education which she said is dedicated to coordinating and supporting the provision of services to learners with special needs as well as promoting inclusive education. She credited the UK government for tremendously supporting Uganda’s education sector.

At the event, participants signed and committed themselves to the key action points that will see promotion and realization of inclusive education in Uganda, which included among others, intensifying multi-stakeholder engagements, establishing centers for tutoring teachers on inclusive education, conducting further research, tax exemption on inclusive education equipment.

An estimated 2.5 million children in Uganda live with some form of disability, according to the 2016 Uganda bureau of statistics (UBOS) Census Report, hindering their access to education, health, employment, and realizing their full potential.

The report further indicates that 12.4% of the country’s population aged two years and above live with some form of disability. This implies that approximately 4.5 million Ugandans are persons with disabilities, hence a development concern.