Top of page
Education and Employment

Iran: Schools Shut Out Children with Disabilities Says Human Rights Watch

Disabled schoolgirl looking at camera and sitting at desk in classroom

Children with disability face discrimination and significant barriers in getting an education in Iran, Human Rights Watch and the Centre  for Human Rights in Iran said in a joint report issued earlier this month  as the school year begins.

The 52-page report documents discrimination and barriers to education in the country’s public school system for most children with disabilities. A major obstacle is a mandatory government medical test that can exclude them from education altogether, the groups found. Additional barriers include inaccessible school buildings, discriminatory attitudes of school staff, and lack of adequate training for teachers and school administrators in inclusive education methods.

Human Rights Watch and the Centre for Human Rights in Iran interviewed 37 people in Iran, including children with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, activists, and government officials.

Children with disabilities have the right to a quality inclusive education in which children with and without disabilities study together in mainstream schools with necessary support. Inclusive education is key to reducing stigma and promoting the rights of people with disabilities throughout their lives, the groups said.

You might also like

Student with Laptop studying in library Student with Laptop studying in library

World Bank supported project to improve education quality in Cambodia

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $80 million…

URI Nursing student Emily Nichols works with four-year-old Asher during a respite care program on campus. URI Nursing student Emily Nichols works with four-year-old Asher during a respite care program on campus.

Early intervention program empowers children with disabilities to thrive

Looking to address a “serious shortage” of specialists to work…

female teacher sitting at desk with a Down syndrome schoolboy female teacher sitting at desk with a Down syndrome schoolboy

UK gov expanding Special Needs Education with 60,000 additional places

Children across the country are to benefit from billions of…

female teacher sitting at desk with a Down syndrome schoolboy female teacher sitting at desk with a Down syndrome schoolboy

NSW expands disability support classes in mainstream schools

An extra 243 support classes have been approved to open…