Jordan launches national framework for inclusion, diversity in education with UNESCO

AMMAN — Under the patronage of HH Prince Mired Bin Raad, chief chamberlain and president of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), and in cooperation with Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah, Jordan has launched the National Framework for Inclusion and Diversity in Education.

Developed with UNESCO’s support, the framework provides key guidelines for creating an inclusive education system, highlighting necessary components, roles, responsibilities, and available resources for educators in Jordan, according to a UNESCO statement.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education for Administrative and Financial Affairs Sahar Shakhatrah, who deputised for Mahafzah, stressed that Jordan, under the Royal directives of His Majesty King Abdullah, is witnessing a "qualitative" shift and making "significant" progress in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities in general and the right to education in particular.

She underscored the ministry’s commitment to creating a better reality for persons with disabilities, enabling them to enjoy their independence and freedom based on equity, equality and equal opportunities.

The secretary-general expressed her appreciation for UNESCO and supporting partners, saying: “This framework will significantly contribute to improving resource allocation, enhancing coordination and strengthening inclusion within Jordan’s education system.”

UNESCO Representative to Jordan Noha Bawazir commended Prince Mired and Mahafzah for their leadership, and the Kingdom's long-standing commitment to ensuring quality education for all learners.

“The framework not just reaffirms Jordan’s commitment to inclusive education but also provides helpful directives to ensure that existing commitments can be actionable and impactful,” said Bawazir.

In June 2022, Jordan endorsed the Jordan Declaration on Inclusion and Diversity in Education, which identified 10 vulnerable groups at risk of exclusion, according to the statement.

This framework builds on that declaration and supports ongoing education commitments and reforms, including the Education Strategic Plan (2018-2025), the 10-year Inclusive Education Strategy and Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision.

The framework consolidates all commitments and plans related to inclusion and diversity in education in Jordan, providing a policy framework and foundations for technical and operational guidelines at various levels (central, directorates in the field, and schools) to enhance guidance and implementation monitoring.

The framework also sets the stage for future operational guidelines aimed at promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities and ensuring the full participation of all learners. The Ministry presented its dissemination plan for the Framework during the launch event.

The development of the framework was a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders, led by the Ministry of Education, with the HCD, the ministries of health and social development, development partners, UN agencies and inclusive Jordanian schools.

This collaboration ensures that policies and practices align with every child’s right to education, reinforcing the principle of equal opportunities for all.

This launch coincides with Jordan's upcoming co-hosting of the Global Disability Summit with Germany and the International Disability Alliance in April 2025.