KAMPHATA – In a vibrant display of community partnership, the halls of Ntenthera Primary School buzzed with energy on October 24th, 2025. The occasion was a transformative training workshop on Special Needs Education (SNE) and Inclusive Education (IE), organized by Emmanuel University’s Women Empowerment and Special Needs Education (WESNED) Project.
The session united two of the most vital pillars of a child’s education: teachers and mothers. The goal was clear and crucial: to equip them with the knowledge and skills to ensure every child, regardless of their abilities or challenges, can learn and thrive in a supportive environment.
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Home
For too long, children with diverse learning needs have faced barriers both in school and at home. This training aimed to break down those barriers by fostering a shared understanding between educators and parents.
“We often see a child struggling, but we didn’t always have the tools to understand why or how to help,” shared one teacher participant. “This training has given us a new lens to see each child’s potential, not just their difficulties.”
The day began with a powerful session that moved participants from simply integrating children into classrooms to truly including them—valuing their unique contributions and adapting the environment to meet their needs.
From Awareness to Action
The training was highly practical. Facilitators from the WESNED project guided attendees through identifying common learning disabilities and special needs, from visual impairments and physical disabilities to learning differences like dyslexia and autism. The focus was not on labeling children, but on recognizing signs of difficulty to provide early and effective support.
For the teachers, the highlight was discovering practical, low-cost strategies for an inclusive classroom. They explored differentiated instruction, multi-sensory teaching aids, and positive behavior management—all designed to reach learners at their individual levels.
Meanwhile, members of the Mother Group were empowered with knowledge on how to create a nurturing home environment, communicate effectively with teachers, and become powerful advocates for their children within the community.
A Unified Front for Change
Perhaps the most significant outcome was the collaborative spirit that defined the day. During a joint action-planning session, teachers and mothers sat side-by-side, brainstorming ideas to make their school more inclusive.
Their collective vision resulted in a concrete plan, including:
- Forming a permanent School Inclusion Committee.
- Conducting an audit to improve the school’s physical accessibility.
- Organizing regular forums to sustain the dialogue between parents and teachers.
“This is no longer just the school’s responsibility or the parents’ burden,” declared the Chairperson of the Mother Group. “It is our shared mission. When we work together, we can remove any obstacle in front of our children.”
A Foundation for a More Inclusive Kamphata
The training at Ntenthera Primary School marks more than just a single event; it represents a foundational shift towards a more inclusive and empathetic community. By equipping teachers and mothers with confidence and practical skills, the WESNED Project has planted a seed of change that promises to grow, ensuring that every child in Kamphata has the opportunity to learn, belong, and succeed.
The WESNED Project of Emmanuel University continues to demonstrate that true empowerment begins when a community learns to support all its members, together.