KATHMANDU – Marking World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) has announced a landmark initiative to establish one Autism-based Model School in each of Nepal’s seven provinces.
The announcement was made during a special program chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education, with the presence of the Honorable Minister of Health and Population. The initiative, themed "Autism and Humanity - Every Life is Valuable," aims to bridge the gap in specialized education and care for children on the autism spectrum.
Inter-Ministerial Collaboration
To ensure the success of these model schools, the government has devised a multi-sectoral approach:
Infrastructure: The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction will lead the construction of physical facilities.
Operations: MoEST will define the educational framework and operational guidelines.
Health Support: The Ministry of Health and Population will provide necessary medical assistance and specialized support for the students.
Coordination: The Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens will act as a coordinator between various non-governmental organizations and the government.
A technical committee has already been formed to draft the concept paper for this project. According to the Ministry's spokesperson, Shiv Kumar Sapkota, the committee is tasked with not only accelerating the establishment of these new schools but also enhancing the quality of existing educational programs for students with disabilities.
The Ministry also issued a call to action for all existing institutions working in the disability sector to simplify their service delivery and ensure that children with autism can access support without administrative hurdles.
This move is seen as a significant step toward inclusive education in Nepal, moving beyond general disability support toward specialized, need-based interventions for neurodivergent students.
Find the official press release here
