Kyaninga Inclusive Model School

Inclusive education has transformative effects for all involved. By enabling children who were previously excluded from education to learn alongside their typical peers, it fosters mutual benefit and emphasizes the strength found in differences rather than similarities. As Jesse Jackson aptly stated, “When everyone is included, everyone wins.”

 But one of the truly joyous aspects of Inclusive Education, which we hadn’t anticipated, was that magical realisiation that paradigms have shifted and true interdependence has become tangible. One of the most palpable demonstrations of this comes from witnessing those heart-warming moments where our children with disabilities, once solely recipients of help, becoming the helper …. Caitlyn, who has Down syndrome, reading to Sidney; Reagan, who has cerebral palsy, pushing Osbert (a typical learner) on the swing; Christopher who has speech and language difficulties and intellectual impairment, helping lift Abina from his wheelchair; and Akram who also has cerebral Palsy, helping Geoffrey put on his shoes. 

These events, which occur daily at Kyaninga Inclusive Model school (KIMS,) serve to shift mindsets and dismantle long-held attitudes and stigmatisation. But perhaps more importantly, imagine also the boost in confidence which when a child evolves from being perceived as helpless to being the helper - being in a position contribute positively to the well-being of others!

Inclusion is a mindset and unquestioning acceptance and respect should be the end result. “Children who learn together, learn to live together”(anon) and the children of KIMS will use their learning and experinces to sculpt a future which is truly equitable for all.