Consultation Program on the Issues of Persons with Disabilities in the School Education Bill, 2080

24^th September 2023

Kathmandu, Nepal

Access Planet Organization, with the support of the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), organized "Discussion/Consultation Program on the Issues of Persons with Disabilities in the School Education Bill, 2080." This half-day consultation program was dedicated to identifying critical concerns related to persons with disabilities within the framework of the proposed School Education Bill, 2080 which was registered in the Federal Parliament of Nepal for further procedure. The program aimed to provide a platform for open dialogue and collaboration to ensure that the gaps in the presently proposed bill will be identified, and documented and collaboration and networking will be made for further advocacy. Participants included representatives from key organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) who have long experience of working in the rights of persons with disabilities including in the sector of education.

Objectives:

The main objectives of the event are as follows:

1. Analyze Bill provisions, identify gaps, and propose inclusive policy changes.
2. Prepare a platform for conducting wider advocacy campaigns to Influence the Bill's passage with inclusive education provisions benefiting students and educators with disabilities.

The School Education Bill of 2080 is a crucial framework for education in Nepal, aligning with inclusivity principles from the Constitution of Nepal 2072, the Act on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and international conventions. The consultation began with participant introductions and objectives. They were divided into groups to identify gaps in the bill from an inclusive education perspective, with a focus on teachers with disabilities. Recommendations emerged, including eliminating age limits for students with disabilities, promoting disability-friendly school structures, and incorporating sign language in instruction. The consultation served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy, contributing to a more inclusive education landscape in Nepal.

Output:

The primary outputs of the training are listed as follows:

1. Participants analyzed Bill provisions, identified critical gaps, and proposed evidence-based, inclusive policy changes to benefit students and educators with disabilities.
2. The program engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including organizations and persons with disabilities, in meaningful policy discussions.
3. The program created a documentation and platform for advocating for inclusive provisions in the School Education Bill, 2080.