ACT-YOD LAUNCHES CODEP PROJECT TO SUPPORT SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION IN ARUA CITY

By Sunday Amandi

Arua city

Action for Transformation of Youths with Disabilities, ACT-YOD has launched a community driven inclusive program to strengthen inclusive education, economic empowerment of children with disabilities and their families through community engagements in Arua city.

The pilot project that targets children with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, teachers and the community of Arua primary school in the central division, and Ediofe girls’ primary school in Ayivu division, whose total enrolment of the learners with disability was 387 by the last data collected by ACT-YOD is a 12 months project funded by the fund for global human rights that will conclude on June 30, 2027.

While speaking in sign language at the launch, Twalib Ayub, the executive director for ACT-YOD, whose communication was interpreted by Maxwel Asiku says, the program was meant to commence earlier but delays came due to some government policies,

“It is supposed to be July 1, this year, but we had a lot of challenges with the new sovereignty bill that has been passed by parliament, it has affected so many donors, but of course we pray to God that let the government try to review the sovereignty bill and ensure that, it favors these other young organizations and also other organizations that are supporting efforts of the government,” said Ayub.

Maxwel Asiku, the program coordinator says, the program will focus on changing the mindset of parents, care givers and the community on the education of the children with disabilities in favor of the inclusive education.

“78% of care givers believe disability is caused by witchcraft or parental sin, that is according to UNICEF 2022 report, that is why we are going to tackle the parents that attitude,” Maxwell said.

Bayo Geoffrey, the deputy head teacher incharge of special needs education in Ediofe girl’s primary school asserts that, the program has come timely to address learning challenges at the schools.

“Initially our request was to have a teacher specialized in sign language to be posted there, but God works in different ways, and we are lucky today that we are going to have an instructor that will be based at the school,” said Bayo.

Agnes Ajio, the education officer for special needs education in Ayivu division calls for the sustainability of the program after donor funding for its continues effectiveness,

“We have youths with disability in all the schools in the city, when you look at these schools, they are really in need of such support, once the donor withdraws, we need to learn, we need to pick up from there,” Ajio said.

The program will enable the formation of disability right clubs, organization of sensitization events like dramas and debates, training of learners on self-advocacy, leadership and public speaking, and promotion of inclusive activities in the selected schools.