Earlier this year, Abdulai ‘Abs’ Dumbuya, technical lead for GCE-US member Sightsavers received a Presidential National Best Teachers Award in Sierra Leone for his work to make education systems more disability inclusive.

Now in their fifth year, the awards celebrate excellence in education across the country. This is the first time they have acknowledged the vital contributions of educators and experts working to ensure that all learners – especially children and young people with disabilities – are safe, welcome and supported in school.

Abs received one of two awards given to individuals involved in the Sightsavers-supported Leh Wi Lan (Let us learn) program, also known as the Sierra Leone Secondary Education Improvement Program II. He is the technical lead on disability inclusion for the program, which is delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.

Abs’ work focuses on strengthening inclusive education systems and building sustainable change. His leadership has helped ensure that disability inclusion is not just an add-on, but a core part of how schools are supported, how school leadership operates and how teachers are trained.

On this International Day of People with Disabilities - December 3 – we recognize individual like Abs who demonstrate inclusion in action. Sightsavers is also amplifying the voices of young people with disabilities and launched a report entitled “This is What Disability Inclusion Looks Like,” which shows that disability-inclusive development is one of the smartest, most transformative investments in global aid.

Photo Below: Dr. Abdulai Dumbuya (left) receives his special award for mainstreaming disability inclusion into education.