development of policies and guidelines, educational planning, teaching training programmes, educational monitoring and support interventions and workshops. The MoE has recognized the special need of deaf and blind children by opening special schools at elementary level. Abraha Bahta School of the Blind managed by MOE, and the two schools for the Deaf in Keren and Asmara which are funded by the Evangelical Church are presently functioning. They are however, mainstreamed into the general system at higher levels of education. Medeber Elementary School also serves for children living with autism and Down syndrome while Godaif Elementary School also serves PWDs. In spite of the above efforts, however, the education access of children with disability is still low. Year 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Abraha Bahta School for the Vision Impaired Evangelical School for the Deaf (1-5) (1-5) Male Female Total Male Female Total 49 20 69 124 88 212 49 17 66 126 110 236 42 12 54 112 63 175 Number of Pupils attending Special Schools - Source: MoE: Basic Education Statistics 359. In line to the Inclusive Education Policy, the association on children with development and intellectual disability is thus endeavouring to open special classes within the premises of the various schools. So far children with intellectual and developmental disability are attending in 8 special schools established in Asmara, the capital city. The MOE has also established 25 child-friendly pilot schools equipped with the necessary resource rooms (support classes) throughout the country to serve as models. They are given support classes to help children cope successfully and their contribution is yet to be assessed properly. (vi) Organizational basis of PWDs 360. In Eritrea, there are four associations for persons with disabilities, namely, The National Patriotic Association of the Disabled Persons, The Eritrean Association of the Blind, The Eritrean Association of the Deaf and The National Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disability of Eritrea. These organizations mainstream the human rights approach and aim to minimise stigmatisation and discrimination, which act as a barrier to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their families. In principle, promotion and protection of the rights of PWDs is upheld at all time by all service providers. 361. As mentioned in earlier parts, the Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) develop their own strategic and operational plans and programmes according to their needs. They also perform independently within the laws and policies of the Government. They all have central offices and branch offices in all the regional administrations. The Eritrean National Association of the Deaf, which has 4,000 registered members and 40% are females. It organizes awareness campaigns to inform on the objectives and activities of the association, and various issues including on strengthening the role of the deaf women in the society. The association also promotes vocational training among its members in various areas. Page 93 of 100