Special Attention Project Making Difference in the Lives of Children with Specific Learning Difficulties

Special Attention Project (SAP) is the leading grassroots non-governmental organisation in Ghana working for the rights of children with Specific Learning Difficulties.

Children with learning difficulties in Ghana face multiple forms of educational barriers which lead to their exclusion from society and school. Discriminatory attitudes due to general lack of awareness and recognition of learning difficulties, as well as absence of accommodative resources in mainstream schools combine to put a crimp on children with learning difficulties to reaching appropriate levels of educational attainment.

Many children showing symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties, such as Dyslexia (difficulties in reading and writing); Dyscalculia (difficulties in mathematics); and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are in school but risk failing to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills or risk dropping out. According to data, about 20% of out-of-school children in Ghana shows signs of learning difficulties, while Dyslexia International estimates that about 10% of the world's population shows some traits of Dyslexia.

Parents and caregivers often give different interpretations to their children's failure to perform well, and seek, for example, spiritual help or resort to punishing. Teachers and educators are barely in a position to match instructional formats to the learning needs and potentials of children with learning difficulties due to limited capacity and absence of inclusive systems.

In 2016, Ghana's Ministry of Education launched the Inclusive Education Policy, which prescribes that mainstream schools should progressively be inclusive for all learners within the framework of Universal Design for Learning and Child-Friendly School Concept. Some main objectives of this policy include regular assessment for pupils, capacity building of teachers to effectively teach diverse learners in their classrooms, and the provision of assistive devices and inclusive resources in schools. However, effective and full implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy remains challenging due to inadequate funding and limited capacity.

In order to promote the rights of children with learning difficulties in Ghana, Special Attention Project (SAP) has been working to raise awareness and advocate for inclusion of children with learning difficulties in mainstream schools. SAP is recognized as the leading grassroots non-governmental organisation in Ghana working for the rights of children with learning difficulties and creating innovative learning solutions to improve learner outcomes. The organisation has a track record of collaboration with the Special Education Division of Ghana Education Service, the Department of Social Welfare and active involvement in movements for disability and education rights. SAP's work with children with learning difficulties over the past 10 years has proven that when learning difficulties are identified early and children are given the right interventions, they are able to learn to achieve their educational dreams.

The organistion is making a difference in the lives of many children with learning difficulties through the provision of bespoke and inclusive learning interventions to help improve learner outcomes and prevent school dropout. SAP offers direct learning support, including assessment and the delivery of individualised learning plans that align with the learning needs of children with learning difficulties. This support also includes vacation classes conducted to help children with learning difficulties to learn better.

As part of the inclusive interventions, SAP builds the capacity of teachers, educators and schools to have a good understanding of learning difficulties and inclusive education to enable them to implement inclusive interventions in classrooms and deliver remedial teaching.

Also, with major changes ahead in Ghana's education policy on inclusiveness, it has never been more important to empower parents and community members with information. SAP offers counselling services for parents and provides customised and instructive information on learning difficulties and inclusive education to enable parents become effective advocates for their children, develop positive attitudes and change their behaviour towards their children. These awareness-raising sessions are conducted through face-to-face interactions during parents and teachers' association (PTA), religious groups and social group meetings, as well as mainstream and social media campaigns.

SAP recognises that addressing discrimination and promoting inclusion of children with learning difficulties cannot be accomplished without data for evidence-based advocacy. The organisation thus collects data on children with learning difficulties to influence and strengthen policy decisions on inclusive education. As part of SAP's advocacy drive, the organisation mobilises parents of children with learning difficulties into self-help groups, with the aim of empowering them to help their children to learn and become effective advocates for their children's educational rights.

SAP recognises the importance of partnership in the fulfillment of its mandate. Because of this, the organisation is redoubling its efforts to develop and strengthen partnerships with individuals, groups, organisations, media and educational stakeholders to intensify the inclusive education campaign to make a difference in the lives of children with learning difficulties.