Stakeholder Consultation on Disability Rights Act Amendment and the Issue of Education

Resource Center for Rehabilitation and Development (RCRD), under the project “Quality Education: Leave No One Behind” with the support of Save the Children, successfully organized a Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on “Context of Disability Rights Act Amendment and the Issue of Education” on 11 August 2025 at President Sekuwa, Battisputali, Kathmandu.

The consultation provided a common platform for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), parents of children with disabilities, education advocates, and local government representatives to discuss existing challenges and identify priority actions to ensure the educational rights of persons with disabilities are fully protected in the upcoming amendment of the Disability Rights Act.

A total of 23 participants representing different disability categories engaged in the discussion. The meeting began with a presentation by Mr. Manish Prasai, highlighting alarming gaps in access to education for children with disabilities, including:

• Lower literacy and school attendance rates compared to the general population.
• Discrimination in school admissions, particularly in private institutions.
• Lack of essential support systems such as caregivers, assistive devices, and therapy services.
• Misuse and poor quality of resource classes and residential facilities.
• Limited integration of technology and teacher training for inclusive education.

Key recommendations from the consultation included:

• Clear legal definition of Inclusive Education in the Disability Rights Act and alignment with the Education Act.
• Mandatory and adequately resourced implementation of inclusive education at the local level.
• Development of family-centered support services and transitional education options.
• Strong anti-discrimination measures applicable to both public and private schools.
• Quality standards, safeguards, and regular monitoring for hostels and special schools.
• Comprehensive individual needs assessments to ensure tailored educational support.
• Integration of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive approaches in all education policies.
• Improved inter-ministerial coordination and replication of best practices.

This consultation marks a step forward in ensuring that no child with a disability is left behind and that education in Nepal becomes inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all.