British Council and Punjab Government Partner to Strengthen Leadership in Special Education

Lahore, July 30, 2025 — In a landmark move to improve the quality of special education across Punjab, the British Council and the Special Education Department (SpED), Government of Punjab, have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to launch a transformative initiative aimed at building leadership and management capacity within special education institutions.

This collaborative effort sets the stage for a formal Operational Alliance Agreement—paving the way for a long-term strategic partnership to empower educators and school leaders with the tools, training, and support they need to deliver inclusive, high-quality education for children with special needs.

Focus on Leadership Development for Special Education

Under the agreement, the initiative will directly benefit 290 school heads and 790 senior teachers working across Punjab’s special education schools. By introducing sector-specific leadership standards and promoting inclusive, learner-centred educational approaches, the programme aims to transform how special education is delivered at the institutional level.

Key areas of focus include:

Improving school management practices
Enhancing leadership skills of heads and senior faculty
Fostering a culture of mentorship and peer learning
Embedding inclusive teaching strategies in everyday school environments
Co-Designed by Experts, Driven by Inclusion

The leadership development model will be co-created by technical teams from SpED Punjab and senior education consultants from the British Council. This collaborative design ensures that the programme reflects both international best practices and local educational realities, making it adaptable and sustainable for the unique needs of Punjab’s special education ecosystem.

The Centre of the Partnership is Inclusive Education

During his remarks on the partnership, James Hampson, the Country Director of the British Council Pakistan stressed the need of inclusivity:

At the core of the work is equality, diversity and inclusion. This partnership with the Special Education Department Punjab will play a crucial role in developing learner friendly and equitable environments to every child irrespective of his ability.”

Ms. Sania Ashiq Jabeen, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Special Education Punjab, added:

“Education is a right, not a privilege. Our vision is clear—disability is not inability. We are committed to realising our leadership’s vision of inclusive education for all.”

Mr. Muhammad Khan Ranjha, Secretary, Special Education Punjab also said:

“Every child has a unique story, but all children deserve the right to learn, grow, and thrive. We are dedicated to empowering every special child to reach their full potential.”

A Model for Sustainable, Inclusive Educational Reform

This programme represents more than just training—it signals a long-term commitment to institutional transformation in special education. Built on a multi-stakeholder approach, the initiative will combine global expertise with local knowledge to create meaningful, lasting change across Punjab’s special education system.

The British Council-SpED partnership is a milestone for inclusive education in Pakistan, setting a precedent for how international cooperation and local leadership can come together to improve education for some of the most underserved learners in society.

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