Integration of inclusive education into public school system discussed

Islamabad:The education ministry held a high-level meeting on ‘Special Education: Challenges, Gaps and the Way Forward’ on Monday, with its secretary, Nadeem Mahbub, in the chair.

The meeting brought together the director general (special education), heads of departments from nine special education institutions and representatives from the Project Coordination Unit. Discussions centred on the integration of inclusive education into Islamabad’s public school system and emphasized urgent challenges such as teacher training, accessible learning materials, infrastructure deficits and the lack of suitable transport facilities for students with disabilities.

Secretary Mahbub underscored the importance of coordinated national efforts and instructed the teams to formulate actionable strategies in the short, medium and long-term to uplift special education across the public sector. He said the government was committed to ensuring that children with special needs are not left behind in the national education framework.

“We must build inclusive systems that reflect the diversity of learners and provide equitable access to quality education for all,” he said. In a separate meeting at the ministry, Secretary Mahbub emphasised the need for a comprehensive redesign and restructuring of the education system to address the tangible needs of schools nationwide. "It is critical that we shift toward student-centred, tech-enabled and inclusive learning environments,” he said. “Our goal is to empower both learners and educators by ensuring quality education delivery at all levels,” he said.