Inclusion in regulars schools operating in Qatar are on the rise to accommodate students with disabilities following State’s ambitious goals to provide each student with quality education. Special schools equipped with all necessary requirements are also being provided to ensure that children with disabilities have the same educational opportunities as all children. The students with disabilities after graduation receive job orientation courses and training programmes to get suitable jobs to make their contribution to the nation and lead a happy life.
The State of Qatar has been keen to provide education to all students, including students with disabilities. Education is a vital indicator of a country’s progress and its ability to channel individuals’ potentials and efforts appropriately to realise sustainable development, through individuals’ various roles in developing different aspect within society, based on justice, equality, and equal opportunities.
Based on the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s endeavor to provide and regulate high-quality services that meet the needs of students with disabilities, and to ensure best practices in providing care, education, rehabilitation and integration of students with disabilities in the school community, a suitable, supportive and safe environment has been provided for such students. Students with special needs are enrolled in general education schools based on the type of services provided, and severity of the case. Schools have been sorted based on students needs as follows: Public Schools with Support Services; Inclusive Schools; and Specialized Schools.
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has provided inclusive classrooms in 82 schools of all grades for students with disabilities, said an official.
Inclusive classes have been made in 70 specialised regular schools operating across the country for students with disabilities (boys and girls),” said a Special Education Guidance Expert at Ministry of Education and Higher Education. She said that inclusion is also provided in four schools for students with visual impairments and in two schools for students with hard-of-hearing. There are six specialised schools called ‘Al Hedaya School for Special Needs’ with two kindergartens for all grades for boys and girls.
The schools with inclusion are running a number of programmes to support students with disabilities such as early intervention, individual education, family support, vocational and technical paths for secondary school students according to their inclinations. Inclusion involves supporting students with disabilities through individual learning goals, accommodations, and modifications so that they are able to access the general education curriculum (in the general education classroom) and be held to the same high expectations as their peers.
