Rs439m partnership: Sindh govt, AKU join hands to transform inclusive education

KARACHI: In a major step towards strengthening inclusive education and empowering differently-abled persons, the Sindh government and the Aga Khan University-Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) on Friday signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth more than Rs439 million to establish a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit and develop a sustainable, evidence-based inclusive education system across Sindh.

The MoU signing ceremony, held at the CM House, was witnessed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

The agreement was signed between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Government of Sindh, and the Aga Khan University–Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED).

Under the agreement, a dedicated Special Educational Needs Unit will be established at AKU-IED as a centre of excellence for teacher education, professional development, research, innovation, policy support and demonstration of best practices in inclusive education.

The partnership will also focus on developing specialised training facilities, including sensory rooms, therapy rooms and resource centres, while supporting evidence-based policymaking and public awareness initiatives.

The ceremony was attended by Aga Khan University President and Vice Chancellor Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, Dean AKU-IED Professor Dr Farid Panjwani, senior university leadership, representatives of the Network of Organisations Working for Persons with Disabilities Pakistan (NOWPDP), development partners, education experts, senior government officials and stakeholders from the education and disability sectors.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah described the agreement as a landmark initiative in Sindh’s efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable society. “Today marks an important milestone in our collective journey towards building a Sindh where every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to learn, grow, contribute and thrive,” he said.

The chief minister said the Sindh government has consistently prioritised human development, social inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities through policy reforms, social protection programmes, education initiatives and institutional strengthening.

“This MoU is far more than a formal agreement; it is a strategic partnership to strengthen inclusive and special needs education across Sindh. Through this collaboration, we will build institutional capacity, improve teacher preparation, strengthen research and create new opportunities for children with disabilities to access quality education,” he said.

Murad Ali Shah said the partnership would help develop a more responsive education system through evidence-based policymaking, professional development, public awareness campaigns and stronger community engagement.

“We look forward to new academic pathways in inclusive and special needs education, high-quality research that informs public policy and stronger policy advocacy that supports evidence-based decision-making,” he added.

The chief minister expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a model for Pakistan by demonstrating how governments and leading academic institutions can work together to build a more inclusive, knowledge-driven and equitable future.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment, he said: “Together, let us build a Sindh where every child is valued, every learner is supported, and every citizen has the opportunity to realise their full potential.”

Addressing the ceremony, Aga Khan University President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to meaningful and high-quality learning opportunities.

“An inclusive education system is fundamental to building an equitable and prosperous society. Aga Khan University is proud to partner with the Government of Sindh in creating sustainable institutional mechanisms that support children with disabilities and strengthen the capacity of educators and policymakers,” he said.

Dr. Shahabuddin said AKU’s longstanding expertise in education, research and capacity building would contribute to developing innovative solutions, generating evidence-based knowledge and supporting public-sector reforms that promote inclusion and equal opportunity.

Earlier, Secretary DEPD Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui briefed participants on the vision, objectives and scope of the partnership. He said the initiative represented a significant step towards building an inclusive education ecosystem in which children with disabilities could access quality education and the support services necessary to achieve their full potential.

He explained that the collaboration would focus on teacher preparation and training, institutional strengthening, policy development, research, community awareness and sustainable support mechanisms for learners with special educational needs.

Dean AKU-IED Professor Dr. Farid Panjwani presented the MoU framework and outlined plans for the proposed Special Educational Needs Unit. He said the unit would function as a hub for training, research, innovation and policy support while facilitating faculty development, professional certification programmes and evidence-based interventions to strengthen inclusive education systems in Sindh.

The five-year partnership, effective from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, envisages extensive collaboration in institutional strengthening, teacher education and professional development, research and evidence generation, policy advisory services, public awareness campaigns and system-wide reforms in inclusive education.

Under the financial framework, the Government of Sindh will contribute Rs278.56 million, while AKU-IED will contribute Rs160.65 million, bringing the total value of the partnership to more than Rs439 million. The initiative will also engage disability inclusion partners, including NOWPDP and other relevant organisations, to support implementation, advocacy, training and community outreach across the province.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026