KHDA policy for special kids hailed
dubai — Parents are hopeful that the new inclusive policy announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will allow people of determination to receive admission in mainstream schools without hassles.
The recently launched Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework will ensure that schools or any educational institution in Dubai do not refuse admission to students with special needs. The policy also asks schools to allocate a specific budget towards building and maintaining facilities and resources for these enrollees.
A few parents in Dubai shared their children’s sad stories of being rejected from several mainstream schools, just because they have special educational needs or a disability (SEND).
American expat parent April McCabe said: “I’m excited to hear about the KHDA’s new inclusive policies. It’s a step in the right direction and hopefully will change the world’s view on how people look at disabilities. Every person has their strengths and weakness that we can all learn from.”
McCabe shared her difficulty in finding a school for her son. She said schools “would not even consider meeting” her son after they learned he has non-verbal autism. “We had no choice but to put him in a special needs school where a curriculum wasn’t even offered. We taught him math, reading and writing at home in the afternoon,” McCabe said.
“The KHDA also need to make special needs schools follow a curriculum and hold these schools accountable; our kids need the opportunity to reach their full potential and to contribute to society.”
Another parent, Abeer Ismail, said her son with Down syndrome was refused admission into more than 10 private schools, as they either had a lack of specialised teachers or the parents of other children were objecting to his presence.
“I was told (by schools) to put him in a centre for special needs as it will benefit him more,” she said. “So, I enrolled him in one finally. It really hurts when your child is rejected because of a condition no one has control over, and that he isn’t given his full rights in basic rights of life. I cried every time I walked out of a school that rejected him. In my opinion, the schools aren’t ready and feared to take full responsibility of these children.”
However, Ismail said she is “very happy and honoured” that the decision to implement KHDA’s new policy was finally taken. She said that the inclusive policies are something that parents have been “fighting to bring about for a long time”.
“Now, schools will be regulated and supported by entities to make inclusion a successful experience. Now we have hope that our children can be treated equally and earn their position in society just like anyone else,” Ismail said.
Maryna van der Marwe, parent of a child with cerebral palsy, believes the new policies are the “beginning of a new era”. Her son was also rejected from private schools and enrolled at a special needs centre. “It is very good that the KHDA will enforce these (new policies). It will teach tolerance and acceptance, but it still won’t be easy. It is the overhaul of a nation’s education system and a very courageous step, but it will take time,” she said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
I’m excited to hear about the KHDA’s new inclusive policies. It’s a step in the right direction and hopefully will change the world’s view on how people look at disabilities. ” April McCabe, parent
It really hurts when your child is rejected… Now we have hope that our children can be treated equally and earn their position in society just like anyone else.” Abeer Ismail,parent