Our focus

Kentalis International Foundation engages in capacity-building training of professionals in the field of inclusive deaf education. We aim to create value by focusing on a three-pillar program and taking a holistic approach to create a conducive learning, physical and social environment for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.

Early childhood development © Shutterstock, Inc.

Early childhood education

Inclusive quality education for all learners, including deaf and hard-of-hearing children, starts at the pre-primary level. The early childhood period between birth and five years old is one of the most critical phases in a child’s life. Unfortunately, a deaf child often grows up in a poor language environment and consequently experiences language deprivation in its early years.

Child writes on paper. Woman points to something on that paper

Primary education

Teaching reading skills to children is not a one-size-fits-all approach. While hearing children use the sound of spoken language to read, for deaf and hard-of-hearing children a different teaching approach is needed. It requires the teacher to go beyond the curriculum and take time to build language skills in sign language, before focusing on word and text reading.

Secondary education

Attending secondary school can be challenging for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in developing countries. Teachers are not equipped to teach deaf children, learning materials prove to be inaccessible or the classroom's layout is a barrier to the student’s learning process. School dropout can be prevented when educators have the tools to create an inclusive educational environment.