MOE and HCD endorse definition of Inclusion and Diversity in Education as firm commitment to the right to education for all

A High-Level Roundtable on Inclusion and Diversity in Education was held on Wednesday April 20, 2022, at the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al Hussein, President of the HCD, and HE Dr Wajih Owais, Minister of Education (MoE), to discuss the capacity development process towards greater inclusion and diversity in education, its results so far, and the way forward.

The High-Level Roundtable was also attended by the Secretary General of HCD, Dr Muhannad Alazzeh, the MoE Secretary General for Educational Affairs Dr Nawaf Al Ajarmeh, the MoE Secretary General for Administrative and Financial Affairs Dr Najwa Qubeilat, as well the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and UNESCO.

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, continuing that “the Ministry is working on developing all aspects to support them, be it in improving school infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum, and more.”

The High-Level Roundtable deliberated on the key findings and recommendations of the Institutional Capacity Needs Assessment on Inclusion and Diversity in Education in Jordan undertaken in 2021 by UNESCO under the ‘Towards greater Inclusion and Diversity in Education in Jordan’ initiative, in cooperation with GIZ and commissioned by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation in Germany (BMZ). The assessment identified the main gaps and challenges in the system, as well as the strengths and existing capacities to support the roadmap towards inclusion and diversity in education. 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 3-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, as well as the groups of children vulnerable to exclusion from and within education in Jordan.

UNESCO Representative to Jordan, Ms. Min Jeong Kim, congratulated MOE and HCD on reaching a shared definition and recognition of the vulnerable groups of children in a consultative and insightful manner. She stressed that this creates an important opportunity for MOE and HCD to rally stakeholders and partners around the Capacity Development Roadmap so that they work together towards a common goal. She also highlighted that Jordan has the potential to become a role model for other countries striving to have more inclusive education systems.

GIZ Jordan Country Director to, Ms Elisabeth Girrbach, also praised all the efforts that have been exerted by the government of Jordan since the launch of the 10-Year Strategy for Inclusive Education, and she stated that GIZ would continue to support the strengthening of the education system in the country along with other sectors.

The session was concluded by MOE and HCD endorsing the definition of inclusion and diversity in education in Jordan, as well as the groups of children vulnerable to exclusion from and within education in Jordan. The two entities 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 come out with what will be the Jordan Declaration on Inclusion and Diversity in Education so that collectively entities move towards greater inclusion and diversity in education. In this way, the concept is embraced at all levels, ensuring that the diversity of abilities and background found among children is also reflected in schools across Jordan.

In closing the session, Minister of Education, Wajih Owais, expressed the Ministry’s commitment to move the inclusive education agenda forward, stressing that transforming the mindsets of society is a must, while His Royal Highness pointed out that Jordan has already come a long way, adding that while the remaining challenges are significant, it is with positive attitude and determination that we will move forward. He stated “Today, I have seen meticulous planning, and if this is the way we work, I am sure we can make our system better and witness improvements every year to come”.