The Working Group on Education and Disability (WGED), coordinated by NEP, joined a critical consultative meeting led by Save the Children and organized by the Department of Non-Formal and Inclusive Education (DNFIE) on 22–23 May 2025 at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. This marks the beginning of a collaborative national initiative to identify and address the root causes of dropout and barriers to education access for children with disabilities and out-of-school children at the basic education level (primary and lower secondary).
Led by Save the Children, a one of NEP members, the initiative seeks input from government bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to shape a robust research plan. The consultation focused on refining the research scope, methodology, and tools, including questionnaire design and participant selection. The ultimate goal is to ensure the findings reflect real challenges faced by marginalized learners—challenges that often go unaddressed in mainstream education systems.
The research process will continue through October 2025, including data collection, analysis, and validation of findings. The final report is expected to guide evidence-based interventions and policy responses that truly meet the needs of excluded children.
WGED and NEP call on all civil society and NGO partners to participate in this initiative. Expanding the study to more provinces could amplify its impact, and collective action can help turn research into real solutions. Interested organizations are encouraged to contact Save the Children, and WGED ExCom.
This initiative aligns with national recommendations to:
Mobilize funding support for inclusive education;
Expand inclusive learning institutions;
Build teacher capacity on inclusive education;
Promote inclusive education awareness through media;
Strengthen stakeholder collaboration; and
Standardize the national sign language program.
Together, we can make inclusive education a national movement.
