Special Needs Education in Ethiopian Higher Education as a Discipline

Abstract

This review aims to discuss the three-decade process of developing a platform for special needs and inclusive education (SNIE) in Ethiopia’s higher education institutions. Although the Education and Training Policy of 1994 recognized the rights of children with disabilities, it only focused on primary education, sidelining higher education and funding. The review focuses on the role of international collaborations with Finland and Norway in developing Ethiopia’s first SNIE postgraduate programmes at Addis Ababa University (AAU). The development has since then expanded to other universities in the country, including Dilla University, Bahir Dar University, and Jimma University. Despite this development in SNIE in Ethiopia, there are still major barriers in the implementation of Inclusive Education. Using a systematic review of documents from 1990 to 2025, the author undertook an analysis of policy frameworks and practices. The results revealed that while there is a renewed commitment to inclusion in the 2023 Education and Training Policy, it is missing from the strategies for higher education and the recognition of Ethiopian Sign Language. The results of the review are that while capacity has improved as a result of professional development, systemic changes are necessary to ensure that quality higher education is accessible to all learners, regardless of their abilities.