EDUCATION FOR ALL AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN TANZANIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS: CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES

Abstract

The educational development of children continues to dominate the global agenda. To date, the emphasis has largely been on universal access to quality basic education for all children. This paper examines the advances made in addressing the needs of Tanzanian children with disabilities under the global movement on Education for All (EFA) led by UNESCO. The paper opens with a brief synopsis of the educational system in Tanzania and then discusses the relevant global resolutions on education and developments relating to EFA and children with disabilities. It will be argued that, in spite of Tanzania’s progress in the area of EFA, there remain significant barriers to providing quality basic education for children with disabilities. As Tanzania engages with post-2015 education plans and deliberations (now called UN Sustainable Development Goals, launched in Sept 2015), measures must be taken to address socio-cultural, economic, political, physical infrastructure, and other related obstacles to quality education for all, especially for children with disabilities.