The Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) in Malawi has officially launched the Building a Brighter Future for Girls and Children with Disabilities in Dowa District Project to help improve access to quality education for girls and children with disabilities.
Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland through UFF Finland, the project is being implemented across 21 public primary schools in the Boma, Mvera and Kapita education zones in the district to enhance the capacity of primary school teachers, Primary Education Advisers (PEAs), school management structures, parents and community leaders to create an enabling and inclusive learning environment for girls and children with disabilities.
DAPP Malawi is implementing the four-year project (January 2025- December 2028) in partnership with the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), which is providing technical guidance on disability mainstreaming and institutional capacity building with support from Disability Partnership Finland (DPF).
Presiding over the project’s official launch at James Full Primary School in the area of Senior Chief Chiwere in Dowa District on October 3, guest of honour and Director of Inclusive Education and School Health in the Ministry of Education Dr. Arnold Kaira, commended DAPP Malawi for championing inclusive education through the project, describing it as a “strategic and ambitious initiative.”
DAPP Malawi programmes manager Ernest Mlapura delivering his speech
Kaira 4th R touring some pavilions accompanied by DAPP Malawi officials
“The Building a Brighter Future for Girls and Children with Disabilities in Dowa District Project is not just about words, but action,” he said. “Real change in Malawi’s education standards will not come from speeches, but from practical initiatives like this one, which empower teachers, learners, parents and communities to embrace inclusive education and ensure that every child has access to quality learning opportunities.”
DAPP Malawi Programmes Manager Enerst Mlapura reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Education, in eliminating some of the barriers that hinder access to education for many girls and children with disabilities.
“Education is a right for every child regardless of disability or background. At DAPP Malawi, we will continue to ensure that learners in four our teacher training colleges are equipped with modern inclusive education skills so that no child of school-going age is left behind,” he said.
The Building a Brighter Future for Girls and Children with Disabilities in Dowa District Project also seeks to strengthen collaboration among key education stakeholders to promote inclusive practices and address stigma and discrimination in the 21 targeted public primary schools and surrounding communities.
So far, the project has trained 186 educators, including 117 teachers, 65 student teachers and four PEAs, alongside 210 members of school management structures such as mother groups, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and school management committees— further strengthening the network of educators and community leaders ready to champion inclusive classrooms across Malawi.
It has also strengthened the capacity of three community-based organisations for persons with disabilities in Dowa, identified and trained 21 parent groups of children with disabilities and recruited and trained 21 community action coordinators (volunteers) to promote inclusive education at the community level.
