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The Scottish Government has committed £7.5 million to Zambia to implement the Realising Inclusive and Safe Education (RISE) Project, aimed at enhancing access to quality education for children with disabilities.
The initiative will begin in two districts in Central Province.
The £7.5 million project, which spans five years, will also be implemented in Malawi and Rwanda, with the goal of fostering inclusive education across the region.
Education Minister, Douglas Syakalima ,officially launched the project, which seeks to improve enrollment, retention, and positive perceptions of children with disabilities in schools.
The Minister’s speech was delivered by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Joel Kamoko, at a ceremony held at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Thursday.
Syakalima expressed gratitude to the Scottish government for its significant support, noting that the project will strengthen Zambia’s efforts to provide safe and quality education for children with disabilities.
“I wish to thank the Scottish Government for providing this invaluable partnership and a generous £7.5 million contribution toward inclusive education for all children,” he said.
The Minister highlighted that one of the main objectives of the RISE project is to create safe and supportive learning environments, particularly for girls with disabilities.
Syakalima further emphasized the project’s focus on increasing enrollment rates, improving retention, and addressing negative perceptions surrounding disability in education.
The project will be implemented in Kabwe, a district with established infrastructure, as well as Chibombo, a rural area that faces challenges such as limited access to specialized schools and support services.
“Chibombo’s rural context underscores the need for more accessible schools and tailored support services, while Kabwe offers a foundation of better infrastructure for implementation,” Syakalima said.
The RISE initiative aims to work within Zambia’s existing educational structures to ensure that all children, regardless of disability, feel included and empowered to succeed.
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