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    Research study

    A multi-method research study to improve curriculum and teaching methods to influence policy and increase the quality of early childhood development and education provision for children with disabilities in Malawi

    On this page

    • Main objectives
    • Summary
    • Reports and resources
    On this page
    • Main objectives
    • Summary
    • Reports and resources

    Main objectives

    • To understand the current state of early childhood development and education services in Malawi and the barriers preventing children from accessing services, with a particular focus on disability inclusiveness
    • To identify strategies for improving the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood development and education services, with a focus on curriculum and teaching methods
    • To adapt and develop curriculum and teaching methods to address the identified barriers and test them through measuring a range of learning and development outcomes
    • To make evidence-based recommendations to policymakers to advocate for the improvement of early childhood development and education services for children with disabilities in Malawi

    Summary

    Early childhood development and education services are vital to promote young children’s chances of succeeding in life, especially in a low-income setting like rural Malawi. Unfortunately, children with disabilities are less likely to attend these services, which compounds the discrimination they already face. This is due to a number of reasons but includes the lack of disability-friendly services available and the lack of service providers who have been trained on disability issues.

    This study aimed to develop and test more disability-inclusive curriculum and teaching methods for service providers to address some of the barriers.

    Reports and resources

    Read the 2017 baseline report (pdf)
    The impact caregiver training has on children with disabilities in Malawi – Baseline report – FINAL

    Read the 2019 endline report (pdf)
    The impact caregiver training has on children with disabilities in Malawi – Endline report 2019

    Read the research summary (pdf)
    The impact caregiver training has on children with disabilities in Malawi – Baseline report 2017

    Read the research abstract

    Related tags

    Inclusive education
    Malawi
    Study details
    Start date
    April 2016
    Finish date
    August 2018
    Main contact
    Emma Jolley
    Global Technical Lead, Health and Disability Research
    ejolley@sightsavers.org
    Partners
    • University of Birmingham
    • Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Anthrologica
    Funders
    Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
    USAID
    Countries
    Malawi
    Themes/conditions
    Inclusive education
    Study details
    Start date
    April 2016
    Finish date
    August 2018
    Main contact
    Emma Jolley
    Global Technical Lead, Health and Disability Research
    ejolley@sightsavers.org
    Partners
    • University of Birmingham
    • Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Anthrologica
    Funders
    Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
    USAID
    Countries
    Malawi
    Themes/conditions
    Inclusive education

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