Innovative Finance
August 1, 2024
Issue and the global context
According to the 2011 World Report on Disability, there is a global population of children under the age of 14 with disabilities estimated between 93 and 150 million. In Africa, around 6.4% of children in this age group have moderate or severe disabilities, yet less than 10% of all children with disabilities attend school; these estimates are from the time when the intervention was about to be implemented; hence, they are crucial to understanding the context.
Exclusion of children with disabilities from education has significant economic repercussions at various levels, including the family, community, and country. The lack of access to schooling can hinder their ability to earn income and maintain long-term financial stability as adults. Recent studies highlight the positive economic impact of education for children with disabilities. In contrast, excluding persons with disabilities from the labor market can lead to economic losses ranging from 3% to 7% of a country's GDP.
Solution
In Lesotho, this initiative aims to enhance the understanding of inclusive education among the government and relevant stakeholders, mainly focusing on primary education for children with disabilities. This will involve the creation of a comprehensive training module covering inclusive education, incorporating fundamental screening methods and teaching approaches. Additionally, the development of a policy brief specifically addressing school-aged children with disabilities is planned, alongside the dissemination of information on supported initiatives to increase national awareness regarding the importance of supporting children with disabilities. The outcomes of this project will further reinforce the quality of endeavors conducted under the Lesotho Education Quality for Equality Project (LEQEP). The total funding allocated for this initiative is $250,000.