International Conference on Inclusive and Special Education 2023
On 5th to the 7th of November 2023 the inaugural International Conference on Special and Inclusive Education (ICSIE) was held at Paro College of Education (PCE). Over 100 delegates attended from different organisations, including NGOs, school principals and teachers, faculty members, inclusive education coordinators, special education teachers, students, delegates from Nepal, and colleagues from the ATTAIN project. The theme of the conference was “Embracing Diversity: Advancing Special and Inclusive Education for All’ with following sub-themes:
- Equitable access to quality education
- Inclusive curriculum design and implementation
- Technical and vocational education for students and youths with disabilities
- Teacher training and professional development
- Innovative assistive technologies
- Parent and community engagement
- Policy frameworks and advocacy
- Inclusive practices in multicultural settings
- Inclusive education for children with specific learning needs.
The conference opened with the Marchang ceremony (wine oblation) and the welcoming of all delegates by Dr Dorji Thinley, the President of PCE, who gave the opening address. Dr Karma Jigyel, the ATTAIN Project Coordinator spoke about ATTAIN, an Erasmus + funded project to design national standards for teaching assistants in inclusive and special education in Bhutan and an accompanying diploma. Dasho Nidup Dorji, the Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan formally opened the conference, followed by dinner and entertainment from dance troupe of PCE.
The following two days saw presentations from faculty, international and national guests and school colleagues. Keynotes were given by Ms. Bridget Middlemas and Ms. Jo Peat from the University of Roehampton, UK who spoke about the important of transitions for children with SEN and/or disabilities and Mrs. Karma Sonam Dorji, who gave a parent’s perspective on educating a child with disability in Bhutan. The conference raised awareness of many of the challenges that children with SEN and/or disabilities face and the work done by teachers and families to support them to success. This conference is supported by Erasmus Plus ATTAIN Project as per the grant agreement 618848-EEP-1-BTEPPKA2-CHHE-JP.
