The fourth webinar of the series was conducted in the 2nd week of March 2021 on the topic of “Developing Inclusive Education in Pakistan through Action Research”. The panel of speakers included Dr. Debbie Kramer-Roy, Director (Education) European MSc in Occupational Therapy, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Ms. Madiha Sajid, Fellow HEA, UK, Chair Parents & Careers Network, UCL and Ms. Samreen Jawaid, Academic Coordinator, The AMI School were the speakers and Ms. Arooj Malik Technical Specialist ECCE PAFEC was the moderator of the session.

Ms. Madiha opened the webinar by sharing the following outline, the concept of inclusive education, individual differences in learning, ways to prepare classroom for inclusive education, and strategies to enhance learning in an inclusive context and the impact of the Action Research Project on the students, teachers, occupational therapists, families and community which she and her team had implemented in Karachi. She explained how it feels to be excluded ways to address it such as how to develop the inclusive curriculum, do teachers training, establish inclusive classroom setups, and how to teach with inclusive strategies. Inclusive approach helps to cater the needs of main stream as well as differently abled children so every child gets benefited, she said.

Dr. Debbie Kramer-Roy who was the second speaker of the webinar, explained the importance of inclusive education in the light of the laws on Child Rights (national and international). She highlighted the Article 23 of constitution according to which children with disability are entitled to all educational service. She stressed on each and every member of the society to understand the importance of inclusive education so that they are able to provide inclusive services in health, education and livelihood regardless of ability and characteristics. She elaborated on access to training, health care services, rehabilitation, services, preparation for employment, and importance of recreational opportunities. The early interventions and awareness can help prevent many issues otherwise negligence leads to child birth problems and later disability.

The third speaker, Ms. Samreen talked about the success stories and practical tips on how to embed inclusiveness into daily classroom routine and the successful model of their inclusive education programme run in Karachi. She shared her experience of how inclusive lessons, blended learning and inclusion in class room ensured “No child is left behind” in there school. This introductory workshop cum webinar, laid the foundation to develop an understanding of Inclusive Education through hands on activities, by providing the participants with practical ideas for classroom organisation though group chat and discussion in break-out rooms on case studies and different scenarios. For more details, visit the below link:

Webinar Recording