In partnership with Dyslexia Organisation Kenya (DOK), Advantage Africa has carried out a vital research project to explore the levels of understanding and awareness of dyslexia among primary school teachers. With valued support from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, we conducted in-depth interviews with 50 primary school teachers about their classroom experiences with children who struggle with reading and comprehension.
Unfortunately, our concerns were confirmed: awareness of dyslexia among teachers is extremely low. Most had little to no understanding of the condition or the characteristic challenges faced by children with dyslexia.
Read our Research Report
This lack of awareness means that an estimated 10% of children, those with dyslexia, are not being identified or supported. Instead, they are often misunderstood and wrongly labelled as ‘slow learners’, lazy, or disruptive. Many face ridicule or punishment at school, leading to frustration, withdrawal from learning, and in some cases, long-term social exclusion and increased risk of delinquency.
In response to these findings, Advantage Africa is working to raise awareness of dyslexia, provide accurate information and practical training for teachers, and ultimately improve the life chances of children who would otherwise fall behind or drop out of school. With the right support, these children can thrive—both in education and beyond.
