Access to Inclusive Education

States Parties shall ensure that: Persons with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live.  UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Article 24, 2b.

In spite of the fact that Ghana has ratified the UNCRPD, persons with disabilities (PWD) are often discriminated against in the country’s educational sectors.  Very few schools, even the “Special Schools,” are accessible to students with mobility issues.  And many headmasters and teachers have the belief that children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) are incapable of learning.
An important component of Kekeli’s work is ensuring that PWDs are given the same opportunities to learn as their peers.  The children we work with are thrilled to go to school and make many friends among their classmates.  Early intervention is key for ensuring that students with physical and intellectual disabilities are accepted into schools.

Unfortunately, the progress of many of our students is halted when it comes time to take exams to pass to the Junior High or Secondary School levels.  In direct violation of the law, many headmasters refuse to allow students with disabilities to sit for exams, claiming that their lower results will “spoil the whole school.”  Kekeli continues to join hands with students and parents to advocate against these and other violations of their basic rights.