12/08/2026
Sincere appreciation to Honourable Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel and the Government of Nepal for initiating this important dialogue on “Strengthening Inclusive Education for Persons with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.” It was especially encouraging to see educators, therapists, researchers and other stakeholders brought together—and to see the Minister patiently listen to diverse experiences and concerns.
My contribution centred on one question:
Why wait for failure when we can notice and support earlier?
Teachers in ECD, kindergarten and early primary years are often the first to recognise differences in how children communicate, engage, learn and participate. Yet many learners can spend crucial years in school before their functional learning and participation differences are understood and supported.
I spoke about the need for a practical, teacher-led, non-diagnostic model that helps teachers notice, understand and respond early—an area closely connected to my PhD research.
I also emphasised that inclusion is not simply being inside the classroom. It is meaningful participation in learning, classwork, activities, assessment, play and everyday classroom life. Approaches such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help make this possible.
For me, the real question is not only:
“Is the child in the classroom?”
but also,
“Is the child participating, learning, supported and truly belonging?”
Thank you, Honourable Minister, for creating a space where practitioners are heard and classroom realities can help shape stronger inclusive education policies.
Why wait for failure when we can notice and support earlier?