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Education for all: addressing marginalisation

Recommendations for the 2010 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) review

Despite overall increases in school participation over the past decade, some children continue to be left behind. Most often left behind are children with disabilities.

UNESCO estimates that one-third of the 72 million children currently out of school are disabled and that 90 per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not go to school. World Bank research suggests disability has substantially more impact on participation in education than gender, rural residence or household economic status.

Making education more responsive to the needs of children with disabilities is now one of the most pressing concerns if we are to meet the education MDG.

Children wait to start lessons outside a school in Sierra Leone.

Want to read more about our work?

Sightsavers and disability rights
A group of young researchers gathers around a table, watching as an adult points to a map.
Sightsavers blog

Making schools safer for children with disabilities

Sightsavers’ Dr Steven Kaindaneh and Dr Julia de Kadt explain how our new research project puts schoolchildren with disabilities at the centre of efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Sightsavers, December 2024
Three partners sit at a table with table name badges in front of them.

Cameroon approves landmark inclusive education policy

With Sightsavers’ support, the government of Cameroon has adopted a national policy to deliver quality and equitable inclusive education for people with disabilities.

November 2024
Twelve-year-old Arthur smiles as he stands next to his teacher, Mr Thompson. They stand in front of a chalk board in a classroom.
Sightsavers blog

Child eye health is key to wellbeing and accessing education

In line with World Sight Day’s focus on child eye health, our experts reveal why eye screenings in schools are boosting students’ academic performance.

Sightsavers, September 2024