• Overdue Sep 21, 2021

    Terms of reference for conducting a study on the implementation of IE & SNE Policy towards the education of leaners with visual impairment

    Employer: Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB)
    Rwanda Union of the Blind is a local non-governmental organization legally operating in Rwanda since 1995. It is registered with Rwanda Governance board under the legal personality no 60/05 of 16/03/1995 to work towards the improvement of the living conditions of persons with visual impairment in Rwanda. See more
    Posted: 15 September 2021
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    Terms of reference for conducting a study on the implementation of IE & SNE Policy towards the education of leaners with visual impairment

    1. Educational Background for learners with visual impairment

    Every single child has the right to education, as stipulated in the Convention of the Rights of the Child; this universal principle applies to children with disabilities as well. The Convention for the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) affirms the rights of persons with disabilities to education and specifically outlines that persons with disabilities should not be excluded from the general education system on the basis of disability. As education is closely associated to better jobs, healthy life, social and economic security and opportunities for full participation in society, those children with disabilities whose right to education is denied, are likely to remain excluded from the society. Article 24 of the CRPD stresses the need for governments to ensure equal access to an "inclusive education system at all levels", to provide reasonable accommodation and individual support services to PWDs to facilitate their education. Article 24 also focuses on the education of children with sensory disabilities such as blind, deaf, deaf blind, partially sighted and others, and stresses the need for specific support required for individuals on a case by case basis.

    The Government of Rwanda has adopted the Inclusive Education and Special Needs Education Policy (henceforth IE & SNE Policy) in 2018 to enhance the rights to education of children with disabilities including those with visual impairment. However, a large number of children with disabilities remain excluded from the education system.
    A RUB stakeholder mapping report on education (2019) stated that regardless of some progressive work towards disability inclusion in Rwanda there are still gaps to be filled in regard to accessing the right to education by children with visual impairment.

    2. About the project and justification of the activity

    From its commencement in October 2017, the DREAM Project aims to increase advocacy for the promotion and realization of the rights and opportunities of persons with visual impairment, as well as having a focus on financial sustainability. The idea is among other things to create learning models for how to include persons with visual impairment in education and socio-economic activities. The learning models build on the experiences from project activities and support RUB in further establishing its ‘brand’ as a spokes organisation for blind and partially sighted persons.

    The Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) has been actively engaged in advocacy work towards the improvement of the living conditions of persons with visual impairment, including the education of persons with visual impairment for over 25 years to date. Much has been achieved in the education area through the work of RUB and its partners. However, as the work grows there is a need for more complex engagement in advocacy, monitoring the progress in education of persons with visual impairment, engaging and networking with other organizations working in the education sector and the government for quality and equitable education of learners with visual impairment
    Through the financial support of DPOD/Danish Association of the Blind (DAB), RUB is seeking for an individual or consultant company who will conduct a study on the implementation of the IE & SNE Policy towards the education of learners with visual impairment.

    3. Objective of the study

    The main objective of the study is to consider the contribution of the adopted IE &SNE Policy toward the education of children with visual impairment and to identify barriers/challenges and any success stories, which will inform the efforts of RUB and the broader disability movement, including the umbrella organization, NUDOR, in advocating for changes.

    4. Result and scope of work

    The assignment should result in a comprehensive report of high analytical quality, which will enable RUB and NUDOR to obtain a clear overview of the current status of implementation of the IE & SNE Policy, in particular as regards inclusion of children with visual impairment. The report should as a minimum comprise the following elements, based on desk review and collected data:

    • a. An analysis of the extent to which the adoption of the IE & SNE Policy is translating into concrete measures to include children with disabilities, and children with visual impairment in particular, at district/school level;
    • b. An analysis of the extent to which children with visual impairment are actually benefitting from any inclusive measures taken following the adoption of the IE & SNE Policy;
    • c. An analysis of challenges, barriers and good practices, from the time the policy was adopted to date;
    • d. A list of recommendations and strategic pathways for the quality and inclusive education for persons with visual impairment in Rwanda.
    • e. Linkage of the proposed recommendations with the rights of learners with visual impairment as stated in available policies/ conventions such as UNCRPD, Disability Law, the Marrakesh Treaty, etc.

    5. Methodology and output

    The study shall comprise but not necessarily be limited to the following:

    • • Desk review of relevant policies and studies (list to be provided by RUB)
    • • Interviews or focus group discussions with school management, teachers and children/relatives of children with visual impairment at 3 inclusive and 2 special schools admitting learners with visual impairment
    • • Interviews with 5 districts where the schools for the blind located (here the study will mainly focus on the authorities/officials in education sector)
    • • Interviews with management, staff and visually impaired trainees at 1 vocational training centres
    • • Interviews with key staff and educational authorities.

    Deliverables

    • • Inception report detailing the work plan, methodology, and table of content, time line, list of stakeholders / documents to be consulted, including question guides aimed at the various identified stakeholders.
    • • Draft report of the assignment for RUB and DAB to comment and input.
    • • Final reports, both soft and hard copies. The report should be written in English

    6. Time frame

    The full assignment is expected to be carried out for a period of 20 days, which will include the following steps: desk review of relevant documentation; drafting and presentation of inception report; data collection and data analysis; presentation of first draft to the Executive Director of RUB; validation workshop; and presentation of final report.

    RUB will facilitate the selected candidate with some of needed documents and other technical or logistical assistance.

    7. Academic requirements

    • • The interested candidate must have at least a Master’ degree in law, education, planning or other relevant field.
    • • At least 5 years of experience in police analysis, monitoring, evaluation and program related work.
    • • A clear understanding of what is needed to result in full inclusion of learners with visual impairment in education system.
    • • Ability to communicate in English and Kinyarwanda both oral and written.
    • • Experience of working with persons with disabilities, especially those with visual impairment.
    • • Knowledge of disability issues, including legal framework, will be will be a clear advantage.
    • • Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments.

    8. Application Process

    Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications, which should include the following:

    •  Detailed Curriculum Vitae
    •  Academic qualification certificates
    •  Past experience certificates
    •  Technical proposal for implementation, including time schedule for the assignment
    •  Examples of previous work, i.e. conducted studies or evaluations
    •  Application letter addressed to RUB Executive Director.

    Sealed in envelop hard copies should be submitted to the RUB office located on Poids Lourd Road at Kinamba just few meters from the bridge, not later that 21th September, 2021 at 16hrs.

    Done at Kigali on 14th September, 2021

    Dr KANIMBA Donatilla

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