Inclusive education policy, practice and progress : a transformative analysis of Middle East countries : a manuscript drawn from a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2014
DOI
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Massey University
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Abstract
Access to an inclusive education for children who are disabled is internationally agreed
to be a basic human right. As such, it has been enshrined in the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Governments of all countries in
the Middle East have signed the convention and committed to ensuring this right as
soon as possible. As they incorporate these obligations into relevant education
legislation and policy, there remains concern that multiple factors which persist in
marginalising children who are disabled will impede progress and effective
implementation of policy.
This study reviewed a sample of three countries in the Middle East; Bahrain, Iraq and
Jordan. Replicating the ‘Pathways to Inclusion’ Toolkit used in Europe, data were
gathered through questionnaires and interviews and aligned with the requirements set
out in the United Nations Convention. An analysis framework applied a rating to policy,
practice and progress to indicate how supportive they were of the progressive
realisation of inclusive education.
Some alignment was found between the complex realities of the three countries and the
expectations of the Convention. However, this study took a unique strengths approach
in order to inspire the interest of policy makers. Some of the strengths noted were the
traditional and religious responses to those with impairments, the tenacity of
interdependence within communities and the parental preference for inclusion. These
strengths were situated alongside the widespread drive towards modernisation,
developing technology, and participating in the global community. Conducted through a
transformative lens, the intention of this research was that the identification of these
strengths would shift thinking forward to empower political and civil processes in their
ongoing bid to implement the expectations of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Description
Listed in 2015 Dean's List of Exceptional Theses
Keywords
Inclusive education, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Middle East, Dean's List of Exceptional Theses