Inclusive education in Kenya

The Nyanza Inclusive Education Programme (NIEP) is designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of disabled children by facilitating their inclusion within mainstream schools and the wider community.  

Currently the programme has adapted 12 primary schools in 10 Districts in Nyanza, namely Siaya, Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kuria East, Suba, Rachuonyo, Migori, Kisii Central, Nyando and Bondo. Over 473 teachers have been trained on Inclusive education approach and 1577 disabled children have been retained in the 10 Project Primary schools. Of these over 600 children have been assessed and assistive devices provided to those requiring them. These include wheelchairs, hearing aids, speactacles and adapted desks. 

The programme office is based in the Leonard Cheshire Disability Resource Centre in Kisumu City, the Nyanza provincial headquarters. An additional 5 disability resource centres have been established in 5 satellite model primary schools in the project area to support learners with educational learning support materials. These centres also support neighbouring schools.

The work is carried out in partnership with Kenya Cheshire Services, Maseno University, Kenya Institute of Special Education and the Ministry of Education.