Forty children with autism are receiving an opportunity to attend school at a specialised learning centre in Jigjiga, in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, where access to education suited to their needs remains a challenge for many families.
The centre, known as Daryeel 1 School, was established to provide children with autism access to education and specialised support. It is one of two such centres set up in the Somali Region during the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year, which ran from 2025 to 2026.
The school currently has 40 pupils, comprising 36 boys and four girls. Its establishment has created an avenue for families who previously struggled to find suitable learning opportunities for their children.
School principal Ahmed Ibrahim Hussein said the institution was opened towards the end of the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year to address the lack of educational services for children with autism.
He explained that limited public awareness about autism was among the issues that informed the decision to establish the centre, as many families had little information about the condition and the support available.
The school focuses on children whose developmental needs require specialised attention, particularly in communication, interaction and learning.
However, the establishment of the centre has not eliminated the wider challenges facing children with autism in the region. Limited public awareness and difficulties accessing appropriate services continue to affect families seeking support and education for their children.
With 40 pupils now enrolled, Daryeel 1 represents part of an emerging effort to make education more accessible to children with autism in Ethiopia’s Somali Region.