Education
Sightsavers works with local and national partners in our programme countries to promote inclusive, quality education, giving all children the chance to go to school.
Disability more than doubles a child’s chances of being out of school.
Despite significant increases in school participation over the past decade and efforts to reduce gender disparities, children with disabilities continue to be left behind, with girls more likely to miss out on education than boys.
And when children are denied their right to education, they become locked into a cycle of poverty and dependence.
Inclusive education
in Senegal
Sightsavers’ inclusive education pilot project in Senegal has demonstrated that children with and without disabilities can learn together in mainstream schools. The project was funded by Irish Aid.
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The right to education: how we're supporting children to learn
Henry’s story
An inclusive school programme for blind children in Sierra Leone has boosted Henry’s confidence: his ambition is to become a politician.
Read his story
Mbathio’s story
Mbathio's inclusive school in Dakar is challenging perceptions within the local community that blind children are unable to learn.
Read her story
Mafoune’s story
An inclusive education project in Mali has been life-changing for 11-year-old Mafoune, and has had a huge impact on her whole family.
Read her story
View all our education reports, guides and videos
Education resourcesMore about education
“Grace gave me the courage to empower people with disabilities”
On International Women's Day, disability ambassador Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame remembers Grace Preko, her friend, sister and role model who showed her there was life after blindness.
Seynabou’s story
One day Seynabou heard a visiting teacher talk about an inclusive school for children with disabilities, and she jumped at the chance to go.
Khady’s story
“I met so many children with disabilities who were not going to school and there was no institution to welcome them. So I started fighting for that aim.”
We campaign for a fairer world
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