INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN GUINEE-BISSAU
Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world, where 70% of the population live below the
poverty line. The country's needs are immense: Guinea-Bissau has high levels of maternal and infant
mortality, the health services are very under-developed and under-staffed, and the personnel often have
little training. There is a similar landscape in education, where the indicators are alarmingly low: only one
out of every two children will complete basic primary education. Furthermore, half of the population over
15 years old is illiterate according to the 2015 World Bank MICS (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey).
Beyond these statistics, the education system in Guinea-Bissau is in a critical situation: the financial
resources are dire, and the percentage of the countrie's budget assigned to education is one of the
lowest in Africa, according to UNESCO.
In this context, the project APPEHL (Promotion of children with disabilities participation through education)
increases access for children with disabilities to attend school. There are 14 schools in Bissau capital city
and 12 schools in Oio Region that participate on this programme. Since APPEHL started in 2015, 960 children
with disabilities in Bissau and 333 children in the Oio region have benefited from it. The project for inclusive
education in Guinea-Bissau was implemented by the NGO Humanity & Inclusion (formerly Handicap Inter-
national) in partnership with the Ministry of National Education and FADPD-GB (Federação das Associações
de Defesa e Promoção dos Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência). Funded by EU, UNICEF, French Development
Agency and EAC (Educate a Child), this project promotes the universal access to education as well as the rights
of persons with disabilities in Guinea-Bissau.
This series of pictures shows the great impact this project has had on some of the children who benefited
from the first Inclusive Education programme ever implemented in Guinea-Bissau.
poverty line. The country's needs are immense: Guinea-Bissau has high levels of maternal and infant
mortality, the health services are very under-developed and under-staffed, and the personnel often have
little training. There is a similar landscape in education, where the indicators are alarmingly low: only one
out of every two children will complete basic primary education. Furthermore, half of the population over
15 years old is illiterate according to the 2015 World Bank MICS (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey).
Beyond these statistics, the education system in Guinea-Bissau is in a critical situation: the financial
resources are dire, and the percentage of the countrie's budget assigned to education is one of the
lowest in Africa, according to UNESCO.
In this context, the project APPEHL (Promotion of children with disabilities participation through education)
increases access for children with disabilities to attend school. There are 14 schools in Bissau capital city
and 12 schools in Oio Region that participate on this programme. Since APPEHL started in 2015, 960 children
with disabilities in Bissau and 333 children in the Oio region have benefited from it. The project for inclusive
education in Guinea-Bissau was implemented by the NGO Humanity & Inclusion (formerly Handicap Inter-
national) in partnership with the Ministry of National Education and FADPD-GB (Federação das Associações
de Defesa e Promoção dos Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência). Funded by EU, UNICEF, French Development
Agency and EAC (Educate a Child), this project promotes the universal access to education as well as the rights
of persons with disabilities in Guinea-Bissau.
This series of pictures shows the great impact this project has had on some of the children who benefited
from the first Inclusive Education programme ever implemented in Guinea-Bissau.
^
Aicha Darame (9) during a maths class at UCCLA primary school in Bissau. Aicha has a visual impairment because of her albinism and she always sits
in the first row of the class. Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and eyes.
Albinos are affected by vision problems and their skin is extremely delicate. They are persecuted in many African countries and in some cases killed for
witchcraft and other superstitions. However, in Guinee-Bissau they are progressing towards social integration thanks to the advocacy work of AAGUIB
(Albinos Association of Guinee-Bissau) and Humanity & Inclusion NGO.
in the first row of the class. Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and eyes.
Albinos are affected by vision problems and their skin is extremely delicate. They are persecuted in many African countries and in some cases killed for
witchcraft and other superstitions. However, in Guinee-Bissau they are progressing towards social integration thanks to the advocacy work of AAGUIB
(Albinos Association of Guinee-Bissau) and Humanity & Inclusion NGO.
^
Students of Ponta Nova, a small village in Guinee-Bissau on their way to the playing field in front of the school. Usher Oliveira Sanca, beneficiary of the
Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region, leads the group. Usher, despite his motor disability and limited mobility,
can walk and he loves physical exercise.
Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region, leads the group. Usher, despite his motor disability and limited mobility,
can walk and he loves physical exercise.
^
Lamine carries Abdulai (6 years old) on his back. Abdulai has a motor disability that prevents him from walking, that’s why his cousin Lamine carries him
on his back. Lamine attends the same school as Abdulai and he always keeps a close eye on his little cousin. All the family provide great support,
everybody protects him and looks after him, which helps Abdulai to overcome his physical impairment and don’t feel excluded.
on his back. Lamine attends the same school as Abdulai and he always keeps a close eye on his little cousin. All the family provide great support,
everybody protects him and looks after him, which helps Abdulai to overcome his physical impairment and don’t feel excluded.
^
Abdulai de Matos (6 years old) reads out a tale during a reading exercise in school. Abdulai has a motor disability in his arms, legs and speech,
however this impairment does not keep him from attending school. He goes everyday to Cuntum Sobrade primary school, one of the 14 schools of the
Inclusive Education Project in Bissau (Guinee-Bissau).
however this impairment does not keep him from attending school. He goes everyday to Cuntum Sobrade primary school, one of the 14 schools of the
Inclusive Education Project in Bissau (Guinee-Bissau).
^
Aicha plays with her friends outside the school. Aicha has a visual impairment and a very delicate skin as a consequence of albinism. However, this does
not stop her from playing and having fun like other children at school. She is a very participative girl and she’s totally integrated within her classmates.
“I love coming to school, I want to become a teacher when I grow up” she says. She attends Cuntum Sobrade primary school, one of the 14 schools
of the Inclusive Education Project in Bissau.
not stop her from playing and having fun like other children at school. She is a very participative girl and she’s totally integrated within her classmates.
“I love coming to school, I want to become a teacher when I grow up” she says. She attends Cuntum Sobrade primary school, one of the 14 schools
of the Inclusive Education Project in Bissau.
^
Usher Oliveira Sanca, beneficiary of the Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region, walks towards the playing field in
front of the school. Despite his motor disability and limited mobility in arms and legs, Usher can walk and he loves physical exercise. Ponta Nova primary
school is one of the 11 schools of the Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region.
front of the school. Despite his motor disability and limited mobility in arms and legs, Usher can walk and he loves physical exercise. Ponta Nova primary
school is one of the 11 schools of the Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region.
^
Ivanca Gomes (14 years old) solves a mathematics exercise on the blackboard at UCCLA primary school in Bissau. Ivanca was born with a motor
disability caused by problems during childbirth: has difficulties to walk, talk and write, however, she always volunteers in class to solve the exercises.
She has a lot of strength and will, she strives to improve everyday and gain mobility to become more autonomous.
disability caused by problems during childbirth: has difficulties to walk, talk and write, however, she always volunteers in class to solve the exercises.
She has a lot of strength and will, she strives to improve everyday and gain mobility to become more autonomous.
^
Aicha plays with her classmates outside school in Missira, a popular neighbourhood in Bissau capital. Aicha has a visual impairment as a consequence
of albinism. However, this does not stop her from playing and having fun like other children at school. She is a very participative girl and she’s totally
integrated within her classmates.
of albinism. However, this does not stop her from playing and having fun like other children at school. She is a very participative girl and she’s totally
integrated within her classmates.
^
Areninia Correia closely observes her brother writing. Areninia has a congenital malformation on her left leg, so she has a significant difficulty in walking.
She has certain mobility, although she gets very tired. “She cries everyday when she sees her brothers and sisters leaving to school. She wants to go too,
but her leg hurts so much tan she can’t make it to the school, is too far for her” her mum says. The closest school is around 4km away. Her brothers and
sisters teach her what they’ve learned that day at school when they get back home and they do some exercises with her so she can keep on learning while
they look for a solution for Areninia.
She has certain mobility, although she gets very tired. “She cries everyday when she sees her brothers and sisters leaving to school. She wants to go too,
but her leg hurts so much tan she can’t make it to the school, is too far for her” her mum says. The closest school is around 4km away. Her brothers and
sisters teach her what they’ve learned that day at school when they get back home and they do some exercises with her so she can keep on learning while
they look for a solution for Areninia.
^
Lamine (12) holds his cousin Abdulai hands (6). Abdulai walks on his knees, he has a motor disability that prevents him from walking in any other way.
Despite this difficulty, Abdulai goes to school everyday in Cuntum, a popular neighbourhood in Bissau capital. He has serious difficulties to walk, to talk
and to write, but he works hard everyday and he is gradually improving. His family, and especially his cousin Lamine, are a great support for him; all his
social environment is very protective and encourage him to improve himself day after day.
Despite this difficulty, Abdulai goes to school everyday in Cuntum, a popular neighbourhood in Bissau capital. He has serious difficulties to walk, to talk
and to write, but he works hard everyday and he is gradually improving. His family, and especially his cousin Lamine, are a great support for him; all his
social environment is very protective and encourage him to improve himself day after day.
^
Aicha (8 years old) solves an exercise on the blackboard at UCCLA primary school in Bissau. Aicha has a visual impairment as a consequence of
albinism. However, this does not stop her from going to school and learning to read and write like the rest of the students of her age. She attends school
at UCCLA in Missira, a popular neighbourhood in Bissau capital, and she volunteers everyday to go up to the blackboard.
albinism. However, this does not stop her from going to school and learning to read and write like the rest of the students of her age. She attends school
at UCCLA in Missira, a popular neighbourhood in Bissau capital, and she volunteers everyday to go up to the blackboard.
^
Solita de Matos feeds her son Abdulai after he got back from school. Abdulai has a motor disability caused by a complication during childbirth that
prevents him from moving freely his arms and legs. He can’t eat by himself and he needs some help. His family grants him great support; at home his
mum is always looking after him. All his social environment is very protective and everybody encourages Abdulai to improve himself day after day so he
won’t feel excluded or different to the others.
prevents him from moving freely his arms and legs. He can’t eat by himself and he needs some help. His family grants him great support; at home his
mum is always looking after him. All his social environment is very protective and everybody encourages Abdulai to improve himself day after day so he
won’t feel excluded or different to the others.
^
Mariama Turé (18 years old) plays with her young sister. She loves playing with her brothers and sisters and have fun with them. Mariama has a mild
intellectual impairment and this does not stop her from living a normal life and participate in all the daily activities related to work, family life or leisure.
She lives with her family in a small village in the outskirts of Canchungo, Cacheu Region, Guinee-Bissau.
intellectual impairment and this does not stop her from living a normal life and participate in all the daily activities related to work, family life or leisure.
She lives with her family in a small village in the outskirts of Canchungo, Cacheu Region, Guinee-Bissau.
^
Bibiana helps her friend Abdulai to put on his bag pack when the class has finished. Abdulai de Matos (6 years old), has a motor disability that prevents
him from doing certain movements such as putting his bag pack on. Despite his functional diversity, Abdulai goes to school everyday. His family grants
him great support and his social environment is very protective with him, they encourage Abdulai everyday to improve himself.
him from doing certain movements such as putting his bag pack on. Despite his functional diversity, Abdulai goes to school everyday. His family grants
him great support and his social environment is very protective with him, they encourage Abdulai everyday to improve himself.
^
Abdulai exercises his legs with the help of some metal bars that his dad installed in the backyard of his house in Cuntum, a popular neighbourhood in Bissau
capital. Abdulai has a motor disability that prevents him from walking, so he exercises everyday to gain some strength and mobility in his legs and arms.
His family is very supportive, protective and they stimulate him everyday to overcome his disability. Abdulai’s great will is helping him to break down all
the barriers to improve his mobility.
capital. Abdulai has a motor disability that prevents him from walking, so he exercises everyday to gain some strength and mobility in his legs and arms.
His family is very supportive, protective and they stimulate him everyday to overcome his disability. Abdulai’s great will is helping him to break down all
the barriers to improve his mobility.
^
A group of students of 2nd grade plays outdoors in front of Ponta Nova primary school, Oio Region, In Guinee-Bissau. Ponta Nova primary school is one
of the 11 schools of the Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region, implemented by Humanity & Inclusion NGO
(former Handicap International) and funded by UNICEF, UE and Agence Française de Développement.
of the 11 schools of the Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region, implemented by Humanity & Inclusion NGO
(former Handicap International) and funded by UNICEF, UE and Agence Française de Développement.
^
Usher Olveira Sanca, beneficiary of the Inclusive Education, Protection and Early Detection of Disabilities in Oio Region, celebrates with joy the victory of his
team along with his classmates during a physical education class. Despite his motor impairment and his reduced mobility, he loves playing with his
classmates and attend school everyday.
team along with his classmates during a physical education class. Despite his motor impairment and his reduced mobility, he loves playing with his
classmates and attend school everyday.
^
Abdulai de Matos waits patiently laying down on his bed while his mum helps him to get undressed after school. Abdulai has a motor disability in his arms
and his legs that prevents him from performing some movements such as getting dressed and undressed. Despite his functional diversity, Abdulai
exercises everyday to gain some mobility gradually. His family and friends are very supportive, protective and they stimulate him everyday to overcome
his disability.
and his legs that prevents him from performing some movements such as getting dressed and undressed. Despite his functional diversity, Abdulai
exercises everyday to gain some mobility gradually. His family and friends are very supportive, protective and they stimulate him everyday to overcome
his disability.
^
Ivanca Gomes with her cousin Nautaran after school. They both have a motor disability, however they attend school everyday and they are very integrated
among their classmates. Ivanca and Nautaran attend UCCLA primary school, one of the 14 schools of the Inclusive Education Project in Bissau.
among their classmates. Ivanca and Nautaran attend UCCLA primary school, one of the 14 schools of the Inclusive Education Project in Bissau.
^
Gedião Mendes, in the center of the image, watches a football match during the World Cup 2018. Gedião Mendes is deaf from birth and he has never
been taught to speak. He attends school in Oio and he barely communicates with his teachers. Along with Miguel and Wilson, who attend the same
school and both have the same impairment, they have developed altogether a sign language to communicate between them. Their parents would like to
send them to a specialised school in Bissau, but they don’t have the economic resources to cover the costs.
been taught to speak. He attends school in Oio and he barely communicates with his teachers. Along with Miguel and Wilson, who attend the same
school and both have the same impairment, they have developed altogether a sign language to communicate between them. Their parents would like to
send them to a specialised school in Bissau, but they don’t have the economic resources to cover the costs.
^
Usher Oliveira Sanca (8) with his family in front of their home in Ponta Nova, a small village in Mansoa, Oio Region. Usher has a motor, visual and speech
impairment. However, his functional diversity does not stop him going to school everyday. All his family, especially his grandmother, looks after him since
his mum left when she discovered her son’s disability. Usher is a very cheerful and integrated child in his class.
impairment. However, his functional diversity does not stop him going to school everyday. All his family, especially his grandmother, looks after him since
his mum left when she discovered her son’s disability. Usher is a very cheerful and integrated child in his class.