Rwanda’s government urges parents to enroll children with disabilities in ECD centers while addressing caregiver shortages. Efforts to increase awareness, provide mobility aids, and train community support workers are underway. The government has identified over 561,620 individuals with disabilities and aims to improve their care and access to services, despite ongoing challenges.
The Rwandan government is encouraging parents to enroll children with disabilities in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers, addressing the critical shortage of qualified caregivers, as explained by Patrice Mugenzi, Minister of Local Government. On March 12, while discussing the 2023/24 Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) report, he highlighted that inadequate care for disabled children, which affects over 6%, necessitates urgent attention.
Mugenzi mentioned ongoing initiatives to enhance support and access for disabled children to ECD centers. A significant barrier is the reluctance of many parents to acknowledge their children’s disabilities, complicating the delivery of necessary support. Authorities identified over 561,620 individuals with disabilities through a nationwide assessment, shedding light on the urgent need for encouragement in enrollment.
To foster inclusion, data has been shared with partners to raise awareness and promote registration of children in ECD programs. Community health workers and family support groups play a crucial role in assisting these children, receiving comprehensive training to ensure that they are integrated into the ECD framework. Mugenzi stated, “They are children like any other and deserve the same opportunities.”
Support initiatives for parents include established groups that provide training on effective care strategies. Mugenzi reported that in the upcoming fiscal year, partners will provide 450 orthoses and prostheses to aid mobility for disabled children. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that challenges persist, as not every child in need has received mobility aids yet, and categorization of disabilities is ongoing to prioritize urgent cases in ministry plans.
Moreover, all newly constructed ECD centers now adhere to regulations ensuring accessibility for disabled children, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusive education and development.
The Rwandan government’s initiative to bolster Early Childhood Development support for children with disabilities highlights the importance of community involvement and parental education. Despite current challenges, the focus on raising awareness, improving accessibility, and training caregivers aims to ensure inclusive opportunities for all children. Continuous assessment and prioritization of aid for mobility needs are essential steps in fostering an equitable environment for children with disabilities.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
