Inclusive education should not erase special needs schools, Govt told

What the report says

Stakeholders in Uganda are urging the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure that the country’s move toward inclusive education does not lead to the disappearance of specialised schools for learners with special needs. The concern was raised in Kampala, with Tororo District Chairperson John Okea warning that some children could drop out if they are placed in ordinary classrooms without enough support. He argued that learners with severe disabilities may still need specialised settings and that mainstreaming should be handled carefully.

Okea pointed to Tororo as an example of a district that has long benefited from special needs education, saying the number of learners at some schools has fallen after those schools were mainstreamed. He also said the current funding for special needs activities in districts is too low to support effective work, and that the capitation grant for special needs learners needs review.

Sarah Bugosi, the Ministry’s Commissioner for Education Technical Support, said inclusive education does not mean closing special schools. She said the ministry still recognises inclusive, integrated and exclusive schools, and noted that many countries keep special institutions open for learners with more intensive support needs. She also acknowledged funding concerns, while saying the issue is not yet funded in the current budget cycle.

The discussion comes as Uganda develops an inclusive education policy before Cabinet. The broader issue is significant because, according to the report, a sizeable share of school-age children have special needs, yet only a small proportion are enrolled as special needs learners in primary schools.