KISE Hosts Pivotal Conference to Champion Special Needs Education and Empower Parents

By Bruno Aero

— The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) has proudly hosted a three-day National Delegates Conference for the Special Schools Headteachers Association of Kenya (SSHAK), marking a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance special needs education in the country.

The event brought together key players in the education sector, all united in a shared vision: to improve access, support, and outcomes for learners with disabilities.

Officially opening the conference, Ms. Kristine Pratt, Chairperson of the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK), represented Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Bitok and commended KISE’s expanding role. She highlighted the institute’s new national mandate, which includes overseeing regional Educational Assessment and Resource Centres (EARCs) and spearheading the distribution of assistive devices and learning materials for special needs learners across Kenya.

Ms. Pratt also unveiled plans for a groundbreaking Parental Empowerment Center, an initiative designed to support and train parents of children with disabilities—empowering them to be proactive and informed participants in their children’s learning journeys.

“Lauding KISE's leadership,” Ms. Pratt emphasized, “The strength of our partnerships with school leaders determines how effectively we can transform the lives of learners with special needs.”

The conference provided a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategy development among headteachers and stakeholders in special education, reinforcing KISE’s role as a central hub for innovation, advocacy, and inclusive learning.

KISE remains committed to ensuring that every learner—regardless of ability—has access to quality education, tailored support, and opportunities to thrive.