A revised educational policy proposed by UNICEF, which focuses on the educational development of children with special needs and disabilities, has been submitted, pending initiation of the cabinet approval process.

This was made known by Rhoda Enchil, the Education Officer for UNICEF Ghana, during an engagement with the media at UNICEF headquarters on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Referencing how children with special needs and disabilities are often side-lined in the classroom, Rhoda Enchil disclosed that the new revised policy, which is pending cabinet approval, will encourage teachers to adopt and use modalities and learning tools specifically designed to support the development of children with special needs.

“There is a 2024 inclusive education policy which is yet to be approved by the cabinet. In that revised policy, it is interesting to see a new focus on even gifted and talented children. Sometimes we forget about them, we think they know it all and they are good, clever and intelligent, but they also have special needs. If they are in a class and a teacher does not have the right pedagogies to handle that child, it becomes frustrating.”

She added that the revised educational policy will only be successful if teachers are trained and educated about children with special needs to effectively support their development.

“How would stakeholders work with government and GES to empower and to train our teachers in even being aware of the diverse needs in the class and ensuring that the right strategies are put in place to ensure that every child in that class is being included in the teaching and learning process,” she queried.



MAG/ADG