The School Next Door Project – Supporting Regular Schools to Build Inclusive Education Infrastructure

Abstract

The School Next Door Project is a community-based inclusive education model designed to support regular schools in accommodating learners with disabilities across six counties in Kenya. Implemented by Ability Therapy Place, the project integrates educational, medical and social interventions through a mobile clinic system and a Trans-multi-disciplinary team approach. Its goal is to eliminate barriers to access, reduce long-distance travel for therapy and strengthen teacher capacity within the Competency-based Curriculum (CBC) framework. The data presented in this case study covers the pilot phase conducted between January and September 2025. Between January and September 2025, the project implemented 169 individualised education programmes in 82 schools and conducted 126 structured parent sessions. These interventions improved learner participation, teacher confidence and school-level inclusion practices. Partnerships with schools, community organisations, rehabilitation institutions and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities enhanced sustainability through collaborative service delivery. Findings indicate that localised, multidisciplinary and family-centred models such as the School Next Door Project can effectively operationalise inclusive education, transform community attitudes and provide a scalable framework for disability inclusion in mainstream schooling.