Shortage of DEOs still hindering inclusive education – CSOs.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have expressed dissatisfaction over shortage of education officers (DEOs) in districts, which according to them, has partly affected the implementation of inclusive education in schools.

According to civil society organizations dealing with persons with disabilities (PWDs), inclusive education in Uganda has remained a pipe dream, and yet it’s key in building inclusive and equitable services.

Mr Edward Otim, the programmes manager at Sense International, a non-government organization, said out of nine districts in Masaka Sub-region, only Kalungu District has an officer in-charge of special needs education.

“The slot for education officers for special needs is available in all districts, but whenever we question why they are not recruited, the issue of low wage bill comes up. Why is the wage bill always mentioned when issues affecting PWDs are raised?” he said during an interview with Daily Monitor at the weekend.

He also noted that inclusive education for PWDs will never be realized without grassroots implementers and supervisors.

Mr Richard Musisi, the executive director of the Masaka Association of People with Disabilities, pointed out that many schools have not been supported with PWD-friendly facilities to allow easy implementation of inclusive education in schools.

“Out of 2.5 million children living with disabilities in Uganda, only 250,000 have access to education. Government should focus on how to implement the inclusive policy by making study materials of children with special needs available and availing finances to facilitate the implementation,” he said.

As revealed by The World Bank, approximately 16 percent of children in Uganda, have disabilities, but of these, only one percent have access to education through inclusive learning, and 10 percent through special skills.

Ms Sarah Bugosi, the commissioner in-charge of special needs and inclusive education in the Ministry of Education, said the government is working tirelessly to recruit education officers for special needs.