UNICEF partner story; Eulette Ewart
For children like Patricia, the basic rights to learn, to play and to experience school days, have become a reality.
“The answer is 4,” said ten-year-old Patricia, smiling brightly before she walked to the chalk board with confidence to write the answer to the maths problem in class that morning.
Division was the topic of today’s primary 2 math lesson at Afoko District Assembly School in Sandema, district capital of Bulisa North in Ghana’s Upper East region and Patricia Adeborinsa was listening closely to her teacher’s instructions.
At first glance this classroom setting looks like any other class in Ghana. But take a closer look and it becomes evident that some students have mild to moderate disabilities.
Patricia is one such student. With mild cerebral palsy, Patricia has difficulties with movement, and struggles with her motor skills. When she first arrived at Afoko District Assembly School at four years old, Patricia found it hard to use a pencil.
Patricia is the only pupil in the school with cerebral palsy. But her classmates don’t treat her differently because of it.
Her level of inclusion at school is due in part to the efforts of the staff - including Patricia’s teacher Sylvia Abagrimi, who encourages her classmates to interact with Patricia as they would with any other pupil. “I try to ensure she is not left out. Her other classmates check that she’s okay. I also sit her next to her classmate, Salamu. Sometimes he supports her with her writing.”
Patricia also received the support of the school’s headmistress Paulina Adekaldu who wanted to ensure Patricia had the tools to succeed. “When class was over, I would help Patricia learn how to write and hold her pencil. Now she can write and she participates in class like her other classmates.”
Without the support of the community and the teachers, most parents conclude that their children would be rejected and that there would be no support mechanisms in place enabling them to attend school or live fulfilling lives.
Breaking down barriers
Two years ago, Sandema District sought to rectify these inequities and, in adopting the government’s recently launched Inclusive Education policy, the district made a concerted effort to enable children with mild to moderate disabilities to attend a regular school and to benefit from learning.
With the assistance of UNICEF in partnership with USAID, the district implemented a community sensitization programme where parents were invited to hear about how all children – with or without disability - had a right to education.
“We talked openly about disability with parents and informed them that services are available in the school to support them,” said Kennedy Afagachie, Special Education District Coordinator in Sandema. The District Education Services guides teachers on how to carry out basic disability screenings, and then how to provide support for all children - with or without disability - ensuring that all benefit from learning.
Sight, hearing, physical and behavioural disabilities have been identified in schools across the district and teachers have found solutions on how to ensure these children receive the best access to education possible.
Today, more than 450 teachers in Sandema are trained in inclusive education, and children in Sandema with mild to moderate disabilities are able to go to any of the 83 basic schools in the district.
Speaking to Patricia, it’s clear to see just how much she enjoys coming to school. Why is it so important to you, I ask. “Because I get to learn,” Patricia replies with a twinkle.
Learning is a right afforded to all, yet still denied to too many children with disabilities in Ghana. However, for every child in Sandema, for children like Patricia, the basic rights to learn, to play and to experience school days, have become a reality. Patricia can attest to that.
