Challenges and opportunities for disabled children's rights in Zimbabwe: An analysis of the educational and health rights of children with cerebral palsy in Harare's Highfield high density suburb.

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which the educational and health rights of children with disabilities (Cerebral Palsy) are being met in Zimbabwe, in general, and in Harare’s Highfield Suburb, in particular. The study was motivated by the fact that, in most parts of Africa children with disabilities and their families constantly experience barriers to the enjoyment of their basic human rights and to their inclusion in society. Objectives of the study were to examine the adequacy of legal framework for ensuring access to education and health by children with disabilities, in general, and those with Cerebral Palsy, in particular, to establish if there are appropriate institutional structures for promoting the educational and health rights of children with Cerebral Palsy in Highfield High Density Suburb in Harare, and to establish if schools in Highfield High Density Suburb have appropriate facilities to cater for children with Cerebral Palsy. Other objectives were to establish is there are appropriate health institutions and facilities to cater for the health needs of children with Cerebral Palsy, and to propose options for enhancing the educational and health rights of children with Cerebral Palsy. The study was significant to children with Cerebral Palsy. The research was being done in order to promote the educational and health rights of children with Cerebral Palsy. Moreover, the study aimed to add to the existing body of knowledge on the rights of children living with disabilities. Findings of the study, if adopted, could advance the body of knowledge on the rights of children with disabilities. The study also provides a platform for on-going research on how the rights of children with disabilities can be realised. There was review of literature on Cerebral Palsy, what it is, its types, and causes. Focus was also on a review of literature on children’s rights to education and health, and the legal framework. The study also reviewed literature to access to education by children with disability, in general, and with Cerebral Palsy, in particular. There was also a discussion on the right to heath by children with Cerebral Palsy. In this study, the research design used was a survey. The population consisted of educational, health practitioners, and parents/guardians in Highfield High Density Suburb. Purposive sampling was utilised to select 100 participants from four residential areas. Data for this research was collected using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The study found out that has a negative attitude towards people with disability. It therefore, becomes difficult for policy makers to enact appropriate legal framework to cater for the health and education need of children with Cerebral Palsy because the policy makers are also part of society. Even the parents of children with Cerebral Palsy have negative attitudes towards the education of their own children most probably as a result of traditional beliefs that create non-supportive parental behaviours. This could be a result of an educational system that is far removed from societal issues and problems. It was recommended that the needs of children with Cerebral Palsy be met through mainstream programmes and services. In addition to mainstream services, children with Cerebral Palsy may require access to specific measures, such as rehabilitation, support services, or training. There is also a need for a national rehabilitation strategy. The need to improve human resource capacity was another recommendation. Moreover, there is a need to provide adequate and sustainable funding of publicly provided services. In addition, it is vital for all stakeholders to translate policy into action.