Letters | Covid is hurting education: don’t leave kids with disabilities behind
- A Unesco report shows 40 per cent of lower income countries did not support students with disabilities during temporary school shutdowns caused by the pandemic
- When disabled children do not have access to opportunities, the world is being denied people who have enormous strength as a result of the challenges they have overcome
My name is Brina Maxino and I have Down’s syndrome. But that has never held me back. At 16, I completed high school as class valedictorian. At 20, I graduated university, with a bachelor’s degree in history. While I was in college, I also earned a one-year degree in general clerical skills and a two-year degree in arts. I am also a Special Olympics Global Youth Ambassador and a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger. I represent the Unesco Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report on inclusion and education. But my most important role by far is that of a preschool assistant teacher. Every day, I support children to reach their potential. Something that could have so easily been denied to me.
When I was a child, many people did not believe in my abilities. It is through the sheer persistence of my parents that I was able to attend a mainstream school in my country, the Philippines. But millions of children with disabilities are not so lucky and miss out completely on education.
According to the GEM Report, children and youth with disabilities are among the most marginalised, excluded people in the world and are 2.5 times more likely never to attend school.
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Indonesian teacher brings lesson to village students without internet despite Covid-19 rules
Today, as we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we must remember that every person has value and potential and should be respected. When disabled children do not have access to opportunities, the world is being denied people who have enormous strength as a result of the challenges they have overcome. Given the right support and opportunities, they can make a huge difference to the lives of others, as I have.
Children and youth with disabilities are among the most marginalised, excluded people in the world and are 2.5 times more likely never to attend school
I want to appeal to ministers of education and other policymakers, as well as teachers, to redouble their efforts in providing a more inclusive education system for people like me.
Brina Maxino, Unesco 2020 GEM Report global champion for inclusion
