Despite overall increases in school participation over the past decade, some children continue to be left behind. Most often left behind are children with disabilities.
UNESCO estimates that one-third of the 72 million children currently out of school are disabled and that 90 per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not go to school. World Bank research suggests disability has substantially more impact on participation in education than gender, rural residence or household economic status.
Making education more responsive to the needs of children with disabilities is now one of the most pressing concerns if we are to meet the education MDG.
How an evaluation tool to assess children’s development has been adapted for young children with disabilities in Kenya.
Sightsavers’ Liesbeth Roolvink and Gillian Mackay share learnings from the SMILE project in Nigeria, where a new questionnaire is being used in schools to assess children’s educational needs.
In February 2023, Sightsavers will present at the Comparative and International Education Society conference in Washington DC.