Karachi (GNP): Sindh Cabinet has approved a five-year partnership between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), aimed at reshaping how children with disabilities are educated across the province. The agreement was formally signed at Chief Minister House in Karachi.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who attended the signing, described the partnership as more than a formal agreement, calling it a commitment to ensuring children with disabilities in Sindh have their potential recognized and their futures no longer limited by barriers.
Details of the Initiative
Under the partnership, AKU-IED will establish an Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit dedicated to training, research, and innovation, including sensory rooms, therapy spaces, and specialized resource centers.
The initiative aims to train more than 2,000 educators over the next five years, with the goal of reaching approximately half a million schoolchildren through their work.
According to UNICEF data cited in the announcement, roughly 96% of children with disabilities in Pakistan are currently out of school, with Sindh disproportionately affected due to poverty, gender disparities, and limited accessibility..
The province is home to 7.4 million out-of-school children overall, with disability identified as a significant compounding factor.
DEPD Secretary Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui said children with disabilities have long been overlooked within the education system, describing the initiative as a commitment to families across Sindh that their children’s needs will be addressed.
Teacher Training and Broader Impact
A central component of the initiative involves large-scale educator training, with AKU-IED set to deliver modular courses, trainer certification programs, and a specialized inclusive education track within its Bachelor of Education degree, supported by monthly stipends for participants.
Beyond training, the partnership will establish a province-wide research and policy agenda, including baseline assessments, program evaluations, and regular policy reviews to guide government decision-making.
The initiative also includes biennial conferences, policy seminars, and public awareness campaigns featuring educational materials designed to shift broader attitudes toward disability inclusion.
Institutional Commitments
AKU-IED Dean Professor Farid Panjwani described the partnership as a commitment to children across Sindh who have long awaited an education system that recognizes and supports their needs.
Under the agreement, the Sindh government will provide funding while AKU-IED contributes technical expertise and institutional resources, with the SEN Unit tasked with developing a long-term roadmap to sustain the initiative’s impact beyond the initial five-year period.
Aga Khan University President Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin said an education system’s true measure lies in its ability to reach those historically left behind, adding that preparing teachers and schools to support children with special needs would help ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their potential.
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The partnership envisions a Sindh where all children, regardless of ability, are able to find belonging and support within their classrooms.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
