KARACHI, March 5: The HumQadum Foundation is a non-profit organisation that promotes and supports the inclusion of children with learning difficulties in mainstream schools in age-appropriate classrooms where possible.

The HQF believes that education is a right of all children, even those with learning difficulties.

Each child is accompanied to school by a resource teacher who assists him/her with academic work and activities in the class. The resource teachers are hired and supervised by HQF and experts from the IPRC (Individualised Planning and Review Committee).

The IPRC comprises of key professionals from the education, psychology, speech and language pathology, occupational therapist and paediatric medicine fields.

The panel sits with the family, resource teacher and school representative of each child to develop an Individualised Educational plan (IEP) that the child can follow in his/her school with the assistance of the resource teacher.

The IEPs so developed take account of school reports, feedback from the resource teacher and families and assessments of therapists working with the children, if any.

The Individualised Educational plans (IEPs) are intended to be reviewed a few times each academic year.

The methodology adopted by HQF for working with children with learning difficulties is being followed in First World countries.

Implementing it in Pakistan has not been easy due to limited awareness about inclusive education.

The private schools have taken a stand for these children and believe in giving them a chance as well.

The HumQadum Foundation can be contacted at email: info@humqadam.com or telephone 5364461.