Mental health, inclusion and the forgotten rural students

Mental health, inclusion and the forgotten rural students (Photo: iStock)

In rural areas, children with disabilities often live in silence. They are ridiculed by their peers, neglected by untrained teachers and stigmatised by the community. This social isolation can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem, and ultimately, dropping out of school. Physical access without emotional inclusion is not true inclusion.

As the initiator of the Solidarity with Children with Disabilities Initiative (SCDI), I have witnessed firsthand how mental health challenges keep children from enjoying education to its full potential. While policies like the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) promise inclusive education, most children are left behind since their emotional well-being is not taken care of.