Parents play a very vital role in children’s education, and this is evidenced in Windle International Uganda’s PSN study. In study we learnt about the impact of COVID 19 on the education of learners living with disabilities. These learners either dropped out of school or are struggling with catching up with class under intense learning program and after class schedules as a result of the 2 years’ school closure in Uganda. Through this qualitative study, we reached 70 participants in Nakivale, Rhino Camp and Adjumani Refugee Settlements using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs). The key lesson was that parents should be enabled and empowered with skills to support their children. They do not receive any formal care giver trainings yet they are primary networks to enable the learners with disabilities reach their development and education mile stones. This research therefore shares key learnings for WIU and partners for effective response towards learners with disabilities. As learners living disabilities are being supported, it is ideal to include and improve the lives of their parents and primary care givers. Having a child with a disability does not make one a certified care giver – parents to children living with disabilities need training too.

Authors: Hilda Namakula, Andrew Emmauel Omara

Published in: Canada International Conference on Education, 2024

• Date of Conference: 23-25 July, 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/CICE.2024.0015
• Electronic ISBN: 978-1-913572-65-5
• Conference Location: Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada