By Ian Mutiso
The ministry of education has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming schools to become inclusive for all students, including those with disabilities.
Speaking at Ubuntu Conference in Kasarani, State Department for University Education and Research PS, Simon Nabukwesi stated that to achieve inclusive quality education, it is crucial to focus on special needs education in Kenya.
He acknowledged that access to education, particularly for students with disabilities and special needs, continues to face many challenges.
“The 2010 Kenyan constitution emphasizes the basic right to education. The Kenyan government has ratified international treaties, improved national policies for all, and will allocate enormous resources to support education in order to achieve this right,” he said.
He added that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities acknowledges their rights to involvement in general education systems and access to a free and compulsory education.
This convention will guide educational systems on the steps to be done to support effective education for persons with disabilities.
He emphasized that in order to achieve the desired result, the comprehensive nature of the solution will require significant investment, restructuring of roles in the education sector, significant institutional changes and new relationships between schools, parents, and the community.
The PS said the Kenyan government has collaborated with several partners to improve learning opportunities for all children.