Inclusivity of Children with Special Needs

Abstract

“Disability is not Inability” words of encouragement often given by those who perceive that people with physical challenges are helpless and cannot ably do what without physical challenges effortlessly do. An estimated 80% of all individuals with disabilities reside in isolated areas in developing countries with 150 million of them being children. According to the 2009 census report, 1.3 million Kenyans have disabilities or are physically challenged in one way or another. Deriving from the Constitution of Kenya 2010, every disabled child in Kenya is entitled to the right to access educational institutions in addition to free and compulsory basic education. The Children Act further appreciates that facilitation for people with special needs is necessary by envisaging that a disabled child shall have the right to education and training, free of charge or at a reduced cost whenever possible. The Basic Education Act also supports special education; it states that subject to the Constitution, the Cabinet Secretary of Education shall provide special needs education in special schools established in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools suitable to the needs of a pupil requiring special education….