Kakamega county highlighted the significant strides it has taken towards inclusive education for children with disabilities during a recent courtesy call by a delegation from the Liliane Foundation.
In collaboration with Cheshire Disability Services Kenya (CDSK) and the Education Assessment Resource Centre (EARC) in Mumias, the group met with the County Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Omuhaka, to discuss advancements in integrating learners with disabilities into Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers.
Dr. Omuhaka expressed his gratitude to the partners for choosing Kakamega County as a beneficiary of this vital initiative.
“We are thankful for the support in ensuring that our learners with disabilities receive quality education,” he stated.
He highlighted several key initiatives spearheaded by Governor Barasa, including a feeding programme, the construction of accessible classrooms, and the provision of essential teaching materials.
“The finalization of our pre-primary inclusive policy guidelines is underway, which will not only enhance implementation but also ensure the sustainability of these programs,” Dr. Omuhaka added, emphasizing Kakamega’s commitment to being a leader in inclusive education.
He urged continued collaboration with partners, particularly in building more accessible ECDE centers.
“Improving access to education services for children with disabilities is paramount,” he noted.
Ms. Roos Sparngers, who led the delegation from the Netherlands, praised the county’s collaboration.
“The Inclusive Early Childhood Development and Education (IECDE) project is designed to directly benefit over 210 children with disabilities in the targeted areas,” she explained.
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Key interventions will include teacher training, adapting learning environments, providing Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) services, and supplying assistive devices.
Following the meeting, the delegation performed a monitoring visit to the five ECDE centers involved in the pilot programme to assess progress and implementation.
Also present were Chief Officer for Education Ms. Vivien Ayuma and CEO of Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, Ms. Cecilia Mutava, among other officials.
This initiative reflects Kakamega county’s commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment and ensuring that all children, regardless of their abilities, have access to quality education.
By Calistus Imbayi
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