Inclusive education in Sudan

This three-year programme contributes to the achievement of universal education through providing access to primary education for disabled children. The programme is based in the Juba and Mundri areas of Southern Sudan where illiteracy is estimated at 80% of the population.

The programme targets eight schools which are being made accessible over a three- year period. Training is provided for 32 teachers in Special Needs Education and 480 children with disabilities are enrolled in school.

Innovative practices

The programme is being implemented in a three-way partnership between Juba Cheshire Services, the Sudanese Ministry of Education, and institutions of higher learning such as Juba University and the Kenya Institute of Special Education. It is part of a trans-national inclusive education programme which is also being run in Kenya and Botswana. The three programmes are running side by side and share experiences and learning.

Community awareness-raising

An important aspect of the programme is community awareness-raising and sensitisation to change negative attitudes to disability. An effective way is to involve disabled adults and parents who have seen the benefit of similar programmes in neighbouring countries.