Role of resource centres in facilitating inclusive education: experience from Ethiopia

Abstract

This article focuses on access of students with disabilities to education in Ethiopia and, in particular, on the role of inclusive education resource centres (IERCs). A mixed-methods approach was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The participants were school administrators, itinerant teachers, special educators, regular classroom teachers, and school directors. It was identified that a large number of students and teachers benefitted from the support provided by IERCs. The target schools are equipped with materials that support inclusive pedagogy. The awareness of parents and communities is gradually changing, except in some unreached communities. As a result, the number of students with disabilities enrolled is increasing. There were some barriers observed, such as assignment of itinerant teachers to a large number of satellite schools, high turnover of local government officials, and whether there was investment in the sustainability of IERCs and the positive outcomes observed.