The Agency for Disability and Development in Africa (ADDA) has facilitated free medical and educational assessment to adults and children with suspected disabilities at Mulaani Primary in Kalama Machakos county to ensure smooth learning in schools.
ADDA supported the assessments through a multidisciplinary team that collaborated, such as Kenya Institute for Special Education (KISE), which led the educational assessments; Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya supported E-citizen registration and spectrum for physical disabilities while the National Council for persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) issued disability certificates.
According to Thomas Etyang a Program manager at ADDA, while speaking at Mulaani Primary in Kalama sub-county, they were targeting children with suspected disabilities in Machakos who are in school and also those that are not in school to help them get the correct education placement, though adults also got a chance to be assessed.
He noted that it is crucial for children to receive both medical and educational assessments early to be able to get the appropriate education placement that will ensure they receive tailored support and enable them to reach their full potential especially with the new 2025 Disability Act that promises equality, non-discrimination, and right to education and health.
“The idea is to support learners with suspected disabilities for them to get medical assessment and educational placement so that they can fully benefit from all services that the Ministry of education is offering and with the new Disability Act that has provisions appropriate for them,” said Etyang.
Etyang disclosed that there are numerous cases of disabilities in Machakos and they had managed to assess 300 children and adults though they targeted around 600 people,
He raised concerns over government’s decision to reduce capitation to schools noting it would negatively affect children with disabilities who actually required more care hence more finances, adding that reduced capitation may disrupt their learning or cause them to drop out altogether.
“If we wait for too long, we will waste precious time yet some of these children could thrive in special or integrated schools if diagnosed on time so we need proper funding from the government not just capitation,” added Etyang.
Jackson Nzioka, a teacher and disability advocate at Mulaani Primary voiced his concerns about parents hiding children with disabilities at home instead of taking them for early assessment. He noted this has now resulted in very late diagnoses, citing a case where someone was diagnosed at 35 years of age and didn’t even have an identification card.
“Parents must take their children for early checkups and assessments since it’s the only way to plan for their education and future,” said Nzioka.
By Anne Kangero
