Multi-method research study to improve education in Malawi | Research

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.