Inclusive Education in Sindh is set for a major boost after the Sindh government and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) signed a landmark five-year partnership aimed at improving educational opportunities for children with disabilities. The agreement, approved by the Sindh Cabinet, was signed at the Chief Minister House in Karachi in the presence of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Calling the initiative a historic commitment, the chief minister said the partnership represents more than an agreement, describing it as a promise that children with disabilities in Sindh will have greater opportunities to learn, grow, and realise their potential without barriers.

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More than 100 words into the initiative, Inclusive Education remains the foundation of the partnership, which will establish an Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit at AKU-IED. The facility will serve as a provincial hub for teacher training, research, and innovation, featuring sensory rooms, therapy spaces, and dedicated resource centres. Over the next five years, the programme aims to train more than 2,000 educators, with the potential to positively impact nearly 500,000 schoolchildren across Sindh.

According to UNICEF, around 96% of children with disabilities in Pakistan remain out of school. Sindh accounts for a significant share of this challenge, with an estimated 7.4 million children currently out of school. Poverty, gender inequality, disability, and limited accessibility continue to restrict educational opportunities for thousands of children across the province.

Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui, said the initiative marks a commitment to ensuring that children with disabilities are no longer overlooked within the education system. He added that the partnership offers renewed hope to families seeking equal educational opportunities for their children.

As part of the initiative, AKU-IED will introduce modular training programmes, Training-of-Trainers courses, and certification pathways for more than 2,000 teachers. The institute will also offer a Bachelor of Education specialisation in inclusive education, supported by monthly stipends for participants.

The partnership also includes a comprehensive research and policy framework. AKU-IED will conduct baseline studies, implementation assessments, and annual policy reviews to support evidence-based decision-making. The programme will also organise biennial Special Educational Needs conferences, policy seminars, public awareness campaigns, and community outreach initiatives to promote greater understanding of disability inclusion.

Professor Farid Panjwani, Dean of AKU-IED, said the initiative represents a commitment to building an education system that recognises, supports, and empowers every child regardless of ability.

Under the agreement, the Government of Sindh will provide grant funding while AKU-IED contributes academic expertise, technical knowledge, and institutional resources. The newly established SEN Unit will also develop a long-term strategic roadmap to ensure the programme continues delivering benefits beyond the initial five-year period.

President of Aga Khan University, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, said an effective education system must reach children who have historically faced the greatest barriers. He said preparing teachers and schools to support students with special educational needs will help create equal learning opportunities for every child in Sindh.

The partnership aims to build a more inclusive education system where children with disabilities can access quality learning, receive the support they need, and participate fully in school life.