By Nancy Aol

Adjumani

Educationists in Ma ’di and Acholi sub regions have been encouraged to integrate inclusive learning for different learners with varying disabilities, this need arose from a research project entitled Disabled Refugees Included and Visible in Education (DRIVE).

Mr. David Monk, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Education Gulu University, during a two days’ workshop in Adjumani that brought together teachers, lecturers and instructors from various vocational and tertiary institutions across Adjumani, Moyo and Gulu districts on the 15^th September 2023 disclosed that they partnered with Gulu university faculty of Education to carry research in the three Refugee hosting districts mentioned above and found out that there is a gap in Inclusive Education in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Sector in the those districts.

The three districts are a host to over 250,000 persons of concern (Refugees) from South Sudan.
Inclusive learning entails integrating learners with long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments like physical impairment, Dyslexia, communication disorders, visual impairment, Hearing impairments, Dyscalculia among others in all the school programs on an equal basis with other learners.

Ms. Kruisselbrink Annemaaike a Co- founder and Uganda country director Backup Uganda said “every child can learn, so it is key to identify the different learners with different disabilities such that it is easy to integrate Universal Design for learning which a framework which makes learning assessable for all.”


An all-inclusive discussion of the participants at the workshop

Ms. Auma Joyce a participant and a person living with a different ability (PWDA) said “as a person living with a different ability but not disability, I advise that we need to sensitize persons living with these different abilities to accept their different abilities to better their lives and for me I can talk about including parents, if you notice a child has a different ability, please engage the parents so that such a child is helped where necessary, it is not good to hide away such children from the eyes of the public, but let us help them to also learn”

Kasowole Jane Francis during the workshop further pointed out that it is important to sensitize learners, community members and the local leaders about the effects of segregation in schools as well as introduction of counseling sessions in learning institutions.

Uganda ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2008, committing to uphold international standards that ensure the rights of persons with disabilities, Article 24 of the UNCRPD states that “state parties must ensure the realization of the right of person with disabilities to education through an inclusive education system at all levels.”

COVER PHOTO: An all-inclusive discussion of the participants at the workshop By Nancy Aol