3.5.4. Addressing the issues of CWDs The contributions of the Kinderpsotzegels supported projects towards addressing the issue of CWDs have been lauded as pioneering interventions by the WEOs and school principals in the project areas. In the words of Kassa Molla education expert at Este WEO, WCAT was the organization that introduced that idea of inclusive education and the right to access to education by CWDs. It is his view that society in his area took disability as a sin for parents and such children were hidden. After WCAT’s awareness creation, several hidden CWDs have come out of home and leaning in schools. Haileyesus Solomon, Este WEO head added that his office has learned from WCAT on access to education for CWDs and has opened a unit to scale up inclusive education with technical support from WCAT. For ADAA, the major change is breaking the silence on CWDs and convincing parents to speak out and bring out CWDs, according to Berhanu Tufa, The Executive Director. Berhanu told a story where ADAA found a girl child behind closed door for 10 years who later went to Senbete Lencho school and is now learning in secondary school. Siraro WEO also confirmed that it has been convinced by ADAA on the right to education of CWDs. The WEO according to Fano Gobena, Siraro cluster supervisor, has sent two teachers for training to Adama on inclusive education The principals and teachers of all the visited schools in Siraro witnessed how much the project has positively impacted on the need for educating CWDs. They also gave examples of academic success of children with moderate disability. However, they also explained that their schools have limitations in supporting children with severe disabilities and that WEO have to do their best in addressing such issues of CWDs. Successful project undertakings were also reported by the schools covered by this evaluation in SNNPR where LIA-E operated. Ayele Shamboro, Cluster supervisor of Gmbora WEO reported that the number of CWDs coming to school is growing because of the arareness created by the project. He gave an example of the Danmera school where initially there were three CWDs and now the number has risen to 7 (3girls and 4 boys) as parents are encouraged to bring to school. 50
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