Relief for children with special disabilities as the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) officially launches the National Conference on Functional Assessment.

Principal Secretary State Department for Implementation of Curriculum Reforms, Prof Fatuma Chege, who presided over the partnership on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof.George Magoha, said that the government is committed to the promotion of education for all children, especially those with special needs and disabilities.

Chege said the government has put in place all the necessary requirements for special needs children to access education noting that special needs learners are allocated an additional capitation of Sh2,300 over and above what other learners are allocated.

She added that at the secondary school level, a learner with special needs is allocated Sh57,974 per year, while other well-doing students receive Sh22,244 per year.

The PS said that the document highlights education provision for learners and trainees with special needs and disabilities. 

Dr Norman Kiogora, the Director, Kenya Institute of Special Education, said that the conference is crucial in refreshing functional assessment, teaching, advocacy and reinventing schools to be responsive to the new curriculum reforms.

"The theme of the conference was “Functional assessment, enhancing access to quality services for every child and youth,"

The Conference brought together researchers, special education experts, teachers, students, parents, NGOs, policy makers and other stakeholders to deliberate on inclusive education.