Stakeholders Renew Call for Inclusive Education in Wa West District

Education stakeholders in the Wa West District have called for stronger collaboration among government, communities, and development partners to promote inclusive and equitable access to quality education, particularly for children with disabilities.

The call was made during an Inclusive Education Dialogue Forum organized by Youth Empowerment for Life (YEFL) Ghana in partnership with School for Life (SFL) Ghana under the CLEAR Project.

The forum brought together representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Wa West District Assembly, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), School Management Committees (SMCs), head teachers, students, youth groups, traditional leaders, and organizations representing persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the event, YEFL Ghana Project Officer, Samira Dawood, said the dialogue was intended to create a platform for community members to engage education authorities and district officials on challenges affecting education delivery and to collectively identify practical solutions.

"We wanted to create a platform where community stakeholders could interface with education authorities and the district assembly to identify gaps in education delivery and discuss solutions together," she said.

According to Ms. Dawood, participants received updates on efforts being made to improve education outcomes in the district while discussing persistent challenges, including inadequate resources and barriers to inclusive education.

She stressed that while government continues to invest in education, communities also have a critical role to play in supporting schools and ensuring every child has access to learning opportunities.

One of the key highlights of the forum was the presentation of community-led initiatives aimed at improving school attendance and learning outcomes. A head teacher from Siiru Basic School shared how residents had established a school farm, with proceeds used to support school feeding programmes and provide learning materials and furniture.

"The community cultivates crops on the school farm and uses the proceeds to support the school. This demonstrates how communities can actively contribute to the education of their children rather than relying solely on government support," Ms. Dawood explained.

The dialogue also provided persons with disabilities an opportunity to share their experiences and advocate for more inclusive learning environments.

Madam Bayelnaa Matilda from Dorimon recounted how inaccessible school infrastructure, including the absence of ramps and disability-friendly facilities, forced her to abandon her education.

She, however, acknowledged improvements made in recent years, noting that some public facilities are now more accessible, and urged stakeholders to continue investing in infrastructure that accommodates learners with disabilities.

Similarly, Mr. Dunaa Charles, a visually impaired participant from Kpaafa, called for equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities and appealed to parents, educators, and policymakers to eliminate barriers that hinder their education.

He also urged society to end the stigmatization of children with disabilities, saying every child deserves the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.

Participants recommended that schools strengthen inclusive practices by providing specialized support services, including trained teachers capable of adapting teaching and learning materials to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Ms. Dawood said the involvement of persons with disabilities enriched the discussions and highlighted challenges that are often overlooked in education planning and service delivery.

She further disclosed that the CLEAR Project has been implemented in the district for several years through community sensitization programmes, including youth-led radio discussions that promote the importance of education.

"Every child has a right to education, including children with disabilities. Parents should not keep children at home because of a disability. Communities must support schools and ensure that children are given the opportunity to learn and succeed," she said.

The forum ended with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration, promoting inclusive education, and mobilizing community support to improve educational outcomes across the Wa West District.