Contributing to Inclusive Education
“When I was presented the opportunity to become a member of Danan Woreda Social Accountability Committee (WSAC), I was open to it because I was always wondering how I could better help my community,” said Dahat Abdi Hassen, a member of Danan WSAC, Somali Region, Ethiopia.
Based on data from UNICEF’s 2018 survey, it is estimated that 7.8 million people in Ethiopia are living with some form of disability, which is approximately 9.3 percent of the country’s total population. Despite improvements over the years, people living with disabilities are at a disadvantage and their situation needs to be appropriately addressed to provide them equal opportunities in life as everybody else. People living with disabilities have valuable insights and experience to share, and should be involved in working on matters that impact them.
“I’m honored to serve as Chair of the Dilla Zuria Woreda Social Accountability Committee (WSAC) and ready to contribute my lived experience to the needs and priorities of our community,” said Ato Desalegn Korme, who lives in Chichu town, Dilla Zuria Woreda, located in the Southern Nations and Nationalities Region of Ethiopia. “I started having a strange pain in my left leg ten years ago, and it gradually developed into complete weakness. I now walk with crutches,” added Ato Desalegn, a 38-year devoted father of six.
Chichu Golomsa Primary School, located in Dilla Zuria Woreda, did not have access ramps, making it very difficult for students with disabilities to get to class. “It’s the WSAC’s responsibility to make sure that the needs and priorities of the disability population in our community are also addressed,” said Ato Desalegn Korme, while mentioning the many accomplishments of the committee since its formation.
The Dilla Zuria WSAC was formed two years ago during ESAP3 Inception Workshop, and has done a lot since then. It identified the priorities of students with special needs at Chichu Golomsa Primary School, and recommended them to be incorporated in the Joint Action Plan (JAP). Following the approval of the JAP, the school-built access ramp at the building entrance and procured braille and other materials for visually impaired students. “Having a disability ramp on school boosts confidence and helps the student that has a limited mobility to enter the premises easily,” emphasized Ato Desalegn.
With the support of the WSAC, Chichu Golomsa Primary School has created an educational setting in which students with disabilities could participate and receive support in all aspects of school life. Ultimately, inclusive education can lead to better learning outcomes for all children, not just children with disabilities, according to UNICEF.
“Creating an inclusive environment that welcomes all and celebrates individual differences and diversity is an important and effective way to set high expectations. We’re glad that the voices of people with disabilities have been at the heart of the Dilla Zuria Woreda Social Accountability Committee,” said Ato Hassen Taha, ESAP Grants Coordinator, during a joint discussion with the committee members.
Ato Desalegn has seen a lot in his over 10 years of living with a disability, and credits his family for his strength, saying that he couldn’t have made it as far as he has without their support and patience. “I’m always optimist that there is better future for all of us, mainly for people with disabilities, considering the many positive changes we’re witnessing in our community,” he said.
With the support of the WSAC, Chichu Golomsa Primary School has created an educational setting in which students with disabilities could participate and receive support in all aspects of school life. Ultimately, inclusive education can lead to better learning outcomes for all children, not just children with disabilities, according to UNICEF.