NPA HAILS KSh100M SPECIAL NEEDS BOOST: “NO PARENT SHOULD TRAVEL HUNDREDS OF KILOMETRES TO HAVE A CHILD ASSESSED”
By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
The National Parents Association (NPA) has applauded the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Education, for allocating up to KSh100 million towards the renovation and improvement of National Special Needs Assessment Centres across the country.
The NPA says the investment is long overdue and represents a significant step towards building a more inclusive, accessible and dignified education system for learners with disabilities and their families.
For years, parents have faced significant challenges accessing assessment services, with many forced to travel long distances to have their children assessed. The situation has placed considerable financial, physical and emotional pressure on families, while some learners have gone without proper assessment, specialised support or appropriate placement.
The NPA says the Government’s intervention will therefore provide much-needed relief to parents while improving the ability of education stakeholders to identify and support learners according to their individual needs.
EARLY IDENTIFICATION KEY TO BETTER LEARNING
The association is calling for Special Needs Assessment Centres to play a stronger role in identifying children who require additional support before or during entry into Early Childhood Development (ECD).
According to the NPA, early identification can help parents, teachers and specialists understand a child’s developmental, learning and disability-related needs before challenges become more pronounced in later grades.
The association is urging closer collaboration between the Ministry of Education, KICD, KNEC, TSC, parents and other stakeholders to ensure foundational learning approaches adequately respond to children with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
NPA PUSHES FOR PARENT SENSITIZATION
The NPA is also calling for the piloting of parent sensitization programmes focusing on foundational learning, early identification and disability.
The proposed programmes should help parents:
- Identify early signs that a child may require further assessment or learning support.
- Understand assessment processes before and during ECD.
- Use assessment information to support early intervention.
- Support foundational learning at home.
- Work effectively with ECD teachers, health professionals and assessment specialists.
- Prepare children requiring specialised support for transition to primary, Junior and Senior School.
- Understand available curriculum adaptations, assistive technologies and professional services.
The NPA says early identification is better than allowing a child to struggle for years before receiving appropriate support.
KICD URGED TO STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING
The association has urged the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to work closely with parents and education agencies in developing accessible and parent-friendly foundational learning materials.
Parents, the NPA says, should receive simple and practical guidance on supporting learning at home while recognising when professional assessment may be necessary.
ASSESSMENT CENTRES CRITICAL TO SENIOR SCHOOL PLACEMENT
The investment comes as Kenya continues implementing the transition to Senior School under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
The NPA says effective assessment is critical in determining learners’ abilities, strengths, support requirements and appropriate educational pathways.
Strengthened assessment centres will therefore be important in supporting the transition and placement of learners with disabilities.
The association is calling for continued coordination among KNEC, KICD, TSC and the Ministry of Education so that assessment, curriculum delivery, teacher support and placement decisions are properly aligned.
“A PARENT SHOULD NOT TRAVEL HUNDREDS OF KILOMETRES”
The NPA says rehabilitation of assessment centres closer to communities will significantly reduce the burden faced by families.
“A parent should not have to travel hundreds of kilometres, spend money they cannot afford or face unnecessary delays simply to have a child assessed.”
The association has consequently called for centres to be equipped with adequate professional personnel, modern assessment equipment, assistive technologies, appropriate infrastructure and sustainable operational support.
NPA COMMENDS EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
The NPA has particularly commended Cabinet Secretary for Education Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba and the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, for working together and engaging stakeholders in addressing challenges affecting learners and families.
The association says meaningful education transformation requires cooperation between the Ministry’s leadership, KNEC, KICD, TSC, schools, parents and other stakeholders.
The NPA described the rehabilitation and improvement of Special Needs Assessment Centres as one of the critical interventions undertaken under the Ministry’s leadership.
“Well done, Hon. Ogamba,” the association said, while urging the Ministry to continue listening to parents and addressing challenges affecting learners across the country.
NPA’S 11-POINT APPEAL
The National Parents Association is calling on the Government to:
- Sustain funding for Special Needs Assessment Centres.
- Ensure every centre has adequate professionals and modern assessment equipment.
- Strengthen collaboration between MoE, KNEC, KICD, TSC and other relevant agencies.
- Link assessment effectively with transition and placement decisions.
- Strengthen Senior School transition and placement support.
- Pilot parent sensitization programmes on foundational learning and early identification.
- Develop appropriate assessment approaches for children before and during ECD.
- Work with KICD to develop parent-friendly materials for inclusive foundational learning.
- Expand parent empowerment programmes to support learning at home.
- Ensure meaningful participation of parents in decisions affecting their children’s education.
- Continue improving accessibility, dignity and quality of special needs education services across Kenya.
“NO LEARNER SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND”
The NPA has welcomed the KSh100 million allocation as an important investment in the future of children with disabilities and their families.
The association says the intervention should go beyond renovating buildings and help create a stronger system for early identification, assessment, foundational learning, ECD preparedness, intervention and appropriate placement.
The NPA reaffirmed its readiness to work with the Government, Ministry of Education, KICD, KNEC, TSC, schools, parents and other stakeholders to ensure that no learner is left behind.
“A child with a disability is first and foremost a child with potential. Our collective responsibility is to identify that potential early, nurture it and create the opportunity for it to flourish.”
