Deaf Programme

It is very difficult for deaf children to access education in Uganda. Deaf children are often considered to be mentally deficient and unable to learn. There is stigma, with deafness being seen as a curse or punishment. Consequently few deaf children go to school and most live quite isolated lives in their community. UCT started a school programme in 2015 with 6 deaf children building up to 20 children in the nursery school. The children were taught entirely in Uganda Sign Language and followed the National Early Years Curriculum. The school was at pre-primary, nursery level. From this programme the children progressed from UCT’s nursery provision to be integrated into mainstream Primary level schooling where deaf children are taught alongside hearing chidren.