KARACHI:
President Alvi’s recent emphasis on developing a curriculum for differently-abled individuals is a step in the right direction, which aims to make the Pakistani education system more inclusive. It will help differently-abled individuals to gain proper education, find work, and earn a dignified living.
This initiative serves as a steppingstone to representing individuals excluded from mainstream education due to the current system’s limitations. Highlighting and defining differently-abled individuals in the Pakistani context can become a life-changing step for them. Stubbs (2008) also emphasizes that governments across the globe and United Nations’ agencies support the development of curricula for the differently-abled highlighting the importance of inclusion in educational curricula and addressing the marginalisation of these individuals. However, Stubbs raises questions regarding the distinction between marginalised groups and special needs groups. A more comprehensive educational reform exercise should cater to the needs of both vulnerable and special needs groups. This then raises the question of whether there should be a separate curriculum for differently-abled individuals, or should the current curriculum be revised to incorporate their needs.
President Alvi’s emphasis can help challenge the public’s perception of differently-abled individuals by providing an opportunity to integrate them into mainstream education and the workforce. Even though Pakistan’s current educational system already faces many challenges, it is worth considering whether this new initiative will add additional pressure. The answers to these questions will unfold as the project rolls out. As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. If educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders commit themselves to this task, it will become a beacon of hope for many.
Areeba Waseem
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2023.
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