In Uganda, deaf secondary-level students have two options: attend a school for the Deaf or be included in mainstream schools. However, there is a gap in specialized teacher training for deaf education at the secondary school level. To address this, Kentalis International Foundation has supported the development of a Bachelor's program and postgraduate course on inclusive deaf education.
Project: Bachelor of Inclusive Deaf Education
The Bachelor of Inclusive Deaf Education (BIDE) at Uganda Martyrs University in Kampala, Uganda, aims to equip teachers with innovative strategies and techniques that are tailored to the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. Kentalis International Foundation, which has previously developed a similar degree program in Tanzania, believes that this program will enable more deaf and hard-of-hearing students to graduate from high school, resulting in increased employment opportunities and enhanced career prospects. The program also empowers teachers to support their colleagues who lack special education training while simultaneously equipping them with the skills to teach deaf students more effectively.
We have completed this project in December 2024. By then, the Bachelor of Inclusive Deaf Education had been established firmly as part of Uganda Martyrs Universty's Faculty of Education.
The first cohort of students graduated from the Bachelor in 2022. From special and inclusive education to roles like para-audiologists, sign language interpreters, and community leaders – graduates from the Bachelor's are making a difference in the lives of deaf students.
Building on this success, a Certificate in Sign Language was introduced to offer additional opportunities for students and further strengthen deaf education.
Project facts:
- Timing: 2018 – 2024
- Location: Kampala, Uganda
- Funded by: Stichting Vrienden van Effatha
- Partner: Uganda Martyrs University