Disability Inclusive Education Project

Summary:

Between January and June 2023, this project will directly support 200 (90% primary, 10% pre-primary) girls and boys with disabilities across three primary schools from Kasulu town council to access and participate in primary and pre-primary education on an equal basis to their peers. This will be achieved through the collaboration of a wide range of stakeholders, including Organizations of People with Disabilities (OPDs), parents, communities, teachers, headteachers and Ward, District, Regional and National Government Officials. The disability inclusion component will address enrolment, teacher skills and behavior change and how to arrange support needed by schools and related systems to ensure sustainable systems improvement. The role of OPDs in ensuring accountability and sustainability will also be introduced.

Introduction:

Across Tanzania, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 5 boys have no education at all, with 78% girls and 73% boys reporting attending school regularly, yet only 32%, across both genders, complete primary school. This implies that whilst, on average girls may attend more regularly, a higher portion of girls than boys are not able to access education at all. The reverse situation occurs when children are older. The dropout rate accelerates in older girls at a much higher speed, and fewer girls continue education into secondary and higher education. There are many reasons for the early exit of girls from school, and these vary in different cultures, geographic areas, religions, etc.

According to the National Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania report by the President’s office -Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) (2020), enrolment of children with disabilities in schools in Kigoma region is very low. This data suggests that a large percentage are still out-of-school, with girls even more likely to be affected.

In Kigoma region (like most of any other Lake zone regions), negative attitudes towards people with disabilities, particularly those with Albinism are particularly prevalent. There are many instances of persons with Albinism being killed, particularly amongst the Ha and Sakuma tribe, and others residing in Kigoma (including Kasulu district). This project will seek to address many of these prevailing negative attitudes and beliefs through trainings and awareness raising at both community and school level.

Goal

The overall project goal is that ‘Girls and boys with disabilities have equal access to quality pre-primary and primary education and participate and learn through the strengthening of collaborative and supportive systems and structures in Kasulu district of Kigoma Region - Tanzania’.

The project Theory of Change is based on the assumption that change needs to happen systemically to ensure that girls and boys with disabilities have equal access to quality pre-primary and primary education, as their peers.

Outcome 1: Children with disabilities and especially girls are empowered and supported (by their families, communities and OPD's) to learn and make progress in their education and development.

Outcome 2: Improved Teaching and learning environments, and inter-sectoral collaborative referral systems and support.