Synod introduces K1bn inclusive education project

The CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Education Department has introduced a K1 billion project on inclusive education to reach out to 574 secondary and primary schools.

Briefing the Nkhata Bay District Executive Committee (DEC) on Tuesday, project manager Thomas Nkhonjera said the synod wants to achieve equal access to education for all children and young people regardless of disability in Nkhata Bay, Karonga and Chitipa districts.

“Our aim is to improve education and life choices for young people with additional learning needs in the Northern Region, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals numbers Four and 10 on quality education and reduced inequality,” he said.

CCAP Synod of Livingstonia director of education the Reverend Vincent Kalua said the four-year project will help communities to identify children with disabilities and allow them to go to school.

“In schools, there will be specialised teachers who will decide whether to send them to special needs schools depending on the type of disability. But we will first sensitise communities to know that every child has the right to education, regardless of disability,” he said.

Nkhata Bay district education manager (DEM) Kossam Mphande said they expect the project to address some of the challenges, such as specialised teachers, learners with disabilities face in the district.