''Tusome Pamoja with Braille'' Promote Inclusive Learning

caption: Norman Kiogora Director General Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE)

By Grace Waithaka 

 Tusome Pamoja with Braille project is an ambitious and three-year initiative aimed at improving Braille literacy and transforming the learning experience for visually impaired children.

Thi project is a collaboration between the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), the LEGO Foundation, and UNICEF, with strong backing from the Ministry of Education which will rolled out across 17 counties and two refugee camps.It's  targeting is over 18,600 children and training more than 6,000 teachers, including Early Childhood Development (ECD) instructors.

The aim of this initiative is  commitment in making learning not only accessible but also enjoyable. By incorporating LEGO Braille bricks and play-based teaching methods, the program seeks to bring fun into the classroom while meeting the needs of visually impaired learners. This playful approach is designed to ensure that children benefit fully from the national curriculum while developing key literacy skills.

Education stakeholders had embraced the move where Dr. William Sugut from the Ministry of Education emphasized the collaborative nature of the program, noting that the Ministry, LEGO Foundation, and UNICEF have worked closely to make this a reality. The target  is to ensure every child learns in a way that is engaging and effective.

Dr. Norman Kiogora, Director General of KISE has also highlighted the long-term vision behind the project. Once the pilot phase in the selected counties is complete, the data collected will guide a nationwide rollout. The ultimate aim is to ensure that every visually impaired learner across the country has access to quality, inclusive education.

 The major barrier in learning for children with visual impairments is the high cost of assistive devices. Currently, the cheapest Braille machine costs around Ksh 120,000—a figure that places it out of reach for many families and learning institutions. To tackle this, the government is constructing a large-scale factory at KISE to locally manufacture and repair Braille machines. This move is expected to significantly reduce costs and increase accessibility for those in need.

The project also seeks to address social barriers. A lack of awareness and understanding among parents and communities often leaves visually impaired children unsupported. Many families simply don’t know how to help their children thrive in school. By equipping teachers and caregivers with the right tools and knowledge, the initiative hopes to bridge this gap and foster more inclusive environments at home and in the classroom.

LEGO Foundation, which is providing the Braille learning bricks for free, has also taken the lead in training educators. A representative from the foundation expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of the program, especially as the world approaches the 200th anniversary of the Braille code in 2025. The goal, they said, is to breathe new life into Braille, making it fun, modern, and appealing to all children—both blind and sighted. Inclusion, they emphasized, means creating opportunities for all children to learn and play together.

The Foundation has already facilitated a week-long training session in Kenya and will continue supporting the program with additional training and resources.

The Tusome Pamoja with Braille project aligns closely with Kenya’s broader commitment to inclusive education. With the right partnerships, innovative approaches, and political will, this initiative is poised to transform the educational landscape for thousands of learners who have long been left behind.

As Dr. Kiogora put it, the program is not just about learning,it’s about changing lives.

April 05, 2025