By: Fatou Krubally
Government institutions, disability advocates and civil society organizations on Tuesday converged at the Gambia Pastoral Institute (GPI) to strengthen inclusive education and expand opportunities for children living with disabilities across the country.
The stakeholders’ meeting was convened by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with the Gambia Federation of the Disabled, the National Organisation for Disabled and Orphans (NODO) and Special Olympics Gambia, under the European Union–funded Disability Inclusive Pathways project.
The 30-month initiative aims to promote access to education, technology and play for children with disabilities, while strengthening inclusive systems at both policy and community levels.
Project Manager Saidina Alieu Jarjou presented updates on the programme, stressing that sustained collaboration among government ministries, organisations of persons with disabilities, schools and the media is key to ensuring long-term impact.
He says the project focuses on improving inclusive education systems, boosting school enrolment and retention, and ensuring that children with disabilities are not excluded.
According to Jarjou, activities implemented so far included stakeholder consultations, community engagement, training for teachers and school administrators, and assessments to identify barriers in schools and health facilities.
He added that frontline workers have received specialized training to improve early detection and support for children with disabilities, while selected schools were benefiting from assistive devices and improved accessibility.
CRS, which operates in more than 100 countries and has worked in The Gambia for decades, implements programmes in health, education, agriculture and social cohesion. Jarjou notes that the disability project builds on these efforts by addressing both policy gaps and practical challenges at community level.
Representatives from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Special Olympics Gambia and NODO highlighted the need for inclusive learning environments and stronger partnerships to combat stigma and improve the participation of children with disabilities in schools and extracurricular activities.
Participants also discussed disability rights compliance, child protection concerns and an action plan to guide the next phase of implementation.
The meeting ended with renewed commitments from partners to strengthen coordination and scale up support, with stakeholders underscoring that inclusive education is a fundamental step towards equal opportunities for every child.
About the Author
