On Sunday, the Jordan’s Education Ministry and the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) endorsed the definition of inclusion and diversity in education during a high-level roundtable on Inclusion and Diversity in Education at the HCD, reports Jordan Times.
According to a joint statement, the event, chaired by HCD President HH Prince Mired and Education Minister Wajih Owais, discussed the capacity development process towards greater inclusion and diversity in education, its results so far, and the way forward.
“It is the education system in Jordan that needs to change to adapt to the child, not the other way around. If we do not get education right, we will not get anything right” said Prince Mired.
The minister reaffirmed that inclusive education is a priority for the ministry and a key component of the National Education Sector Plan ESP (2018-2025).
“All children should be able to participate in education whatever their needs or disabilities” he stated, “the ministry is working on developing all aspects to support them, be it in improving school infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum, and more”.
The Roadmap Towards Capacity Development for System Strengthening, Inclusion and Diversity in Education in Jordan, which will guide the implementation of the 10-Year Strategy for Inclusive Education and its Three-Year Inclusive Education Action Plan in alignment with the Education Strategic Plan, was also briefly presented along with examples of specific steps and actions.
The high-level roundtable also discussed the definition of inclusion and diversity in Jordan that was articulated through participatory and broad consultations held with stakeholders and partners over the past year and the groups of children vulnerable to exclusion from and within education in Jordan.
The ministry and HCD also pledged to conduct a follow-up action to hold a high-level policy dialogue with a wide range of education stakeholders and partners in Jordan to discuss Jordan’s Declaration on Inclusion and Diversity in Education so that collectively entities move towards greater inclusion and diversity in education.
