Burkina Faso has been working to improve access to education for children with disabilities, a group that faces significant barriers in the country. More than 72% of children with disabilities are not enrolled in school due to factors such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient teacher training, and social stigma. Although the government developed a National Strategy for Inclusive Education, its implementation has faced challenges.
To address these issues, the World Bank launched the Burkina Faso Improving Education of Children with Disabilities project. The initiative targeted five of the country's poorest regions and Ouagadougou, aiming to enhance both access and quality of education for vulnerable children, particularly those with disabilities.
The project was funded by a US$2.75 million grant from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), which works with local NGOs to support vulnerable groups. Implementation took place during a period marked by political instability following coups d'état in January and September 2022 and ongoing security incidents. These events led to population displacement, including students moving toward safer areas where project schools were located. In response, reception sites were established and project schools designated as safe havens for displaced students. To maintain operations under difficult conditions, responsibilities such as acquiring specialized equipment were shifted to NGOs, and data collection relied on tools like Geo-enabling monitoring system (GEMS) and mobile phones.
Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 50,966 students were enrolled or re-enrolled in 140 schools supported by the project. Of these students, 19,127 were children with disabilities while 31,839 were other vulnerable children. The total number of direct beneficiaries reached 60,737—significantly exceeding the initial target of 15,412.
The Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages (MEBAPLN) implemented the project. As part of its activities:
- Nineteen thousand one hundred twenty-seven children with disabilities received medical consultations.
- Three thousand two hundred fifty-nine received special equipment.
- Two hundred eighty direct jobs were created through income-generating activities for parents.
- Training sessions and infrastructure upgrades took place in all participating schools.
- One hundred forty School Management Committees were revitalized; nine hundred eighty members received training on inclusive education strategies.
- Awareness campaigns promoted inclusion for children with disabilities.
- Eight thousand three hundred fifty-nine families received training to help sustain their children's education.
"The project's achievements led to government requests to continue these efforts in other projects," according to a statement from those involved in implementation. "This is, for instance, the case of the new project financed by the World Bank, Restoring Education System Performance and Improving Resilience Project, which addresses the issues of children with disabilities, building on the successes of this project."
The success of this initiative has influenced further efforts supported by the World Bank aimed at improving educational opportunities for children with disabilities across Burkina Faso.