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Innovative Practice 2020 on Inclusive Education and ICT

One-year preparation programme for children with disabilities to enter mainstream schools

The Al Hussein Society is a leading Jordanian NGO that provides a range of rehabilitation and educational programmes and services for people with disabilities. Since 2009, the society has run an intensive one-year course to prepare children with disabilities for joining mainstream schools. A multidisciplinary team provides services such as tuition and therapy, followed by an assessment. Since the beginning of the program until 2019, 111 children with disabilities enrolled in the program, with 77 admitted to mainstream schools.

“Tears of joy started to fall when I entered the school because I never thought that my daughter could learn like everybody else.”

About the practice at a glance
Name of Innovative Practice:Leaving no one behind
Organisation:Al Hussein Society
Country
of Implementation		Jordan/ Amman
Start Year2009

FACTS & FIGURES

  • 111 children with disabilities have enrolled in the programme, with 77 admitted to mainstream schools
  • Almost 85 per cent of children with disabilities entered mainstream schools in academic year 2018/19.

PROBLEMS TARGETED

Children with disabilities who are not exposed to environmental and educational stimulants might not be accepted in mainstream schools based on below average IQ assessments.

SOLUTION, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT

The one-year intensive programme provides children aged 6–10 and their families with a tailored programme to support their learning via such services as occupational therapy, assistive technology, and support from special education specialists, along with the creation of individual education plans. The services are designed to help children to prepare for and pass the entrance exam, which students with disabilities must take in order to be admitted into grade 1 of mainstream schools in Jordan.

Since the programme began, the Al Hussein Society has been successful in integrating an average of 65 per cent of children into mainstream schools, with a rate of almost 85 per cent in the latest academic year, 2018/19. Aside from its focus on school admittance, the programme improves students’ behaviour, participation in society, and social skills development.

Tuleen, a project participant in a wheel chair with an attached desk, studys together with other children in a classroom.

All services are designed to support children with disabilities to pass the school entrance exam.

FUNDING, OUTLOOK AND TRANSFERABILITY

Funding for the Society comes mostly from its implementation of developmental and humanitarian projects using international donations, which provides 70 per cent of the project budget. The rest comes from contributions by caregivers and government funds. Additional income is derived from the Society’s gift shop, events, and donations.

Replication of this practice is possible if the same circumstances can be created, for example, a suitably trained network of rehabilitation and therapy professionals, plus parents willing to support their children in learning the skills necessary for first grade.

In the future, the Al Hussein Society plans to share the model and results of the practice with all institutions, associations, schools, and decision makers in Jordan and the wider Arab world.

CONTACT

Annie Mazagobian
execdirector@ahsrehab.org
www.ahs.org.jo

FACTSHEET

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