Kisiwandui Primary School in Zanzibar is embracing inclusion. It welcomes 50 students with various forms of disabilities, both learning and physical challenges.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

The school, through paintings on its walls, portrays children living with disabilities as able contributors and learners, and encourages others to lend a helping hand.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

In this pre-primary classroom, learners of all abilities and backgrounds are encouraged to engage together and support each other in the classroom. On the photo are Feisal, Abraham and Hudhaifin.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Halima Hmad Juma, their teacher, shows the words as she says them and then the students repeat in unison. Zanzibar is working on training its teachers on inclusion and child friendly classroom practices.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

The children also look at the corresponding images in their textbooks, whose illustrations are large and visible to those that may have a visual impairment.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

In a grade 6 science class, Ali Moussa and Mahmoud, are committed to learning despite their visual impairment (front row)

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

They each have a small device to record the lessons, so they are able to listen back at home later for their homework.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

They also have Braille machines to take notes and do exercises. Both learned to use the Braille machine in Grade 3, and before that they were using a slate and stylus to write in Braille.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Ali Moussa reads from his notes.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

The teacher asks Mahmoudou to stand up and answer a question about the 5 sense organs.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Kanthar Abdalla Mdid is one of the inclusive education teachers.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

She has been trained to repair the Braille machines when they break down.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Through a US$5.2 million grant, GPE supported the government of Zanzibar to make its education system more inclusive and welcome all children in the classroom. At Kisiwandui Primary School, the grant enabled the purchase of useful equipment, such a laptop computers…

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

as well as braille machines and teacher guides in braille.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Some of the children who need additional support sit together in a smaller classroom.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

This allows individual attention, with the objective to integrate them in regular classrooms when they are ready.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Mrs. Taifa KH Ahmed (in red with her two assistants) has worked a Kisiwandui since 2010.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud

Thank you Kisiwandui Primary School to open your doors to us! GPE is proud to support inclusive education in Zanzibar.

Credit: GPE/Chantal Rigaud