Attainment of Universal Primary Education for Children with and without Disabilities in East Gojjam Administrative Zone: In Ethiopia
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Date
2016-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the attainment of Millennium Development Goal Two in
East Gojjam Administrative Zone located in Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia. It attempted to find
out how children with and without disabilities accessed primary education in the stated
administrative Zone. This survey research employed a mixed method approach, and participants
were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using numerical data
format, interview and observation tools, and were analyzed through descriptive statistics and
thematic data analysis techniques. The results, therefore, indicated that there were observable
progresses in the implementation of MDG Two in primary education. In the Zone, the number of
students enrolled in primary school increased to 531,884 in 2013/14 academic year. This addressed
91.3% of the total number of school age children. Gender parity reached balance level. However,
50,314 school age children were out of school in 2013/14. School dropout problem was one of the
threats that hinder the attainment of UPE in this Zone. The number of dropout students in primary
schools reached to 25,708 in 2013/14 academic year. In this Zone Teacher: students ratio recorded
an average of 1:40. Participants had positive expectations towards attainment of MDG Two and
therefore suggested that each level of administration should attain provision of UPE. Woredas differ
in their commitment to provide UPE for students with disabilities. Accessibility of primary
education for children with disabilities in this Zone was very limited. Although 4474 children with
disabilities were identified in the Zone, only 10% had accessed to primary school education in
2012/13 academic year. Woredas were not willing to accept all children with disabilities in one
academic year. Awareness raising program did not provide for parents of children with disabilities.
In East Gojjam Zone providing SNE for CWDs did not show progress as it was stated in ESDP IV.
Thus, the right to get access to primary education for all children was not implemented
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Keywords
Disabilities in East Gojjam Administrative Zone: in Ethiopia