Côte d'Ivoire: Teaching Deaf Children How To Read

Kentalis International Foundation has found a strong local partner in Côte d'Ivoire in Réseau Ivoirien Pour la Promotion de l’Éducation Pour Tous (RIP-EPT), the Ivorian Network for the Promotion of Education for All. This is a network organization, consisting of 25 civil society organizations active in education.

Just like ours, RIP-EPT's vision is the establishment of a high-quality, inclusive, and accessible educational system for all. That’s why we decided to work together on improving inclusive and deaf education in Côte d’Ivoire by building teachers' capacity through specialized training. RIP-EPT has expressed particular interest in our blended training program on early literacy for deaf learners: the Reading Method for Early Litercy.

In November 2024, this blended training program was launched. The participants, teacher trainers and teachers in inclusive education, began by following the online, e-learning segment of the training program. Early 2025, on-location training, focused on practical skills, took place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

A group of dedicated teacher trainers received specialized training to better support students with hearing loss, helping them access education in a more meaningful way. With only one official school for the Deaf in the country, this training addresses a crucial need in the educational system.

The training covered essential strategies for improving literacy and ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, can succeed in the classroom. The project is aligned with Ivory Coast's National Inclusive Education Strategy, which prioritizes equitable access to education for every child.

The project aims to continue expanding and provide more teachers with the skills needed to support Deaf and hard of hearing students throughout the country.