Strengthening inclusive education: empowering educators to support children with special needs

Every year on April 2nd, the world commemorates International Autism Awareness Day. The theme of this year, “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value”, encourages us to recognize and uphold dignity and worth of all people living with autism and any other form of disability.

Such initiatives serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration in building an inclusive society. Empowering educators, strengthening community awareness, and improving access to social support services are critical steps toward ensuring that no child is left behind.

In our communities, educators have not received adequate training to effectively teach and support learners with developmental and intellectual disabilities. As a result, some feel overwhelmed and underprepared, which leads to reluctance in accepting or integrating children with special needs into mainstream classrooms. This gap not only affects the quality of education provided but also limits opportunities for children who deserve equal access to learning and development.

Recognizing this need, Cabrini Ministries, through the New Abilities Centre under its Health Care Department, on Monday, 23rd March 2026 hosted capacity-building training for educators. The training aimed to equip teachers with practical knowledge and skills to better support children living with disabilities in their classrooms.

‍The session was facilitated by a team of experienced professionals, including an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and a psychologist. The facilitators covered key topics such as understanding autism and Down syndrome, the role played by occupational and speech therapy in affected children, as well as strategies for supporting learners who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

A total of 66 teachers from local preschools, primary, and high schools attended the training, reflecting a strong commitment from educators to enhance inclusive learning practices. The Department of Social Welfare was also in attendance, further strengthening the multi-sectoral approach required to address the needs of children living with disabilities.

During the engagement, the Regional Principal from the Department of Social Welfare highlighted that, according to a 2022 study, the Lubombo Region recorded the highest number of autism cases in the country. She commended the initiative, noting that platforms of this nature are essential in building awareness and strengthening support systems for affected children and their families. She further encouraged stakeholders to support children living with special needs and to refer eligible cases for the disability grant, emphasizing that many of these children come from vulnerable and destitute households.