Page 19 - Mainstreamer Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2023
P. 19
MAKING IT WORK
authorities, UNICEF has been instrumental in Inclusive Horizons: Transforming Education in Vietnam
establishing Inclusive Education Resource Centres Vietnam is committed to breaking barriers in
(IERCs) throughout Vietnam. These centres offer inclusive education for children with disabilities.
essential services, including early screening The country strives for a more equitable education
and interventions for children with disabilities, system through government initiatives, technical
fostering their development for successful support, teacher training and community
inclusion in mainstream education. Additionally, engagement. Additionally, they actively engage
the IERC provides guidance and orientation for communities, track enrolment and collect data
parents and teachers, empowering them to create to monitor progress and inform evidence-based
inclusive environments at both school and home. decision-making.
The government must enact policies addressing Vietnam acknowledges the inherent value
the urgent needs of individuals with disabilities of every child and paves the way for a more
and secure adequate financial and human just and equitable education system. Despite
resources for quality implementation to implement these remarkable advancements, the journey
inclusive solutions effectively. Moreover, they need towards a fully inclusive education system is
to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of ongoing. Challenges to resource provision,
local stakeholders, agencies and schools to ensure societal awareness and teacher training remain,
positive impacts on beneficiaries. requiring continued investment and innovation.
In 2016–2017, the Vietnamese General Statistics Nevertheless, Vietnam’s unwavering commitment
Office conducted a comprehensive survey of to inclusivity serves as a beacon of hope for the
individuals with disabilities to identify and assess future.
their conditions and gather data for improvement.
Impressively, 94.2% of disabled students are in The author , born in Indonesia and raised in Vietnam,
is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the Faculty
mainstream classes, with an average of 8.3 per of Business and Economics, University of Malaya. This
school. The preference for inclusive settings is trilingual personnel draw interest in foreign affairs
evident, emphasising the need for comprehensive and ASEAN developmental focus. With a keen eye for
research and coordination, she envisions a future in the
support services, especially in rural areas. MOET world of consultancy, where,she hopes to use her unique
and government agencies are crucial in strategically perspective to bridge the gaps and navigate complex
challenges.
distributing necessary resources nationwide.
Handmade Teaching Aids by Doan Thi Thanh Thuy at
Ninh Thuan IERC (UNICEF).
Vol. 01, Issue 4 | November 2023 18
