Children with disabilities in West and Central Africa have the same rights as all children to quality inclusive education. This should enable them to participate actively and meaningfully in learning and society. However, at present, these children are largely excluded from education and learning.

Worldwide, it’s estimated there are 93-150 million children with disabilities. Although accurate data is not available, one reputable recent study found that approximately 40 per cent of  children with disabilities in low and middle income countries are out of school at primary level, and 55 per cent at lower secondary level. Another study of 15 low and middle income countries found that disability reduces the probability of school attendance by a median 30.9 percentage points. In West and Central Africa, children with disabilities are kept out of school by poor policy and political commitment and action, inadequate data, inaccessible facilities and services including protection and prevention of gender based violence, poor governance, conflict and crises.

Publication date: October 2020