Japan grants over $114,000 for inclusive education project in Vietnam's Ca Mau

Inclusive education means an education system in which all children, including those with disabilities or other special educational needs, learn together and receive the support they need to participate fully in school.

The US$114,772 grant agreement was signed on Monday at the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City.

The project is being implemented by Asia Rainbow, a Japanese non-profit organization that has spent years promoting inclusive education in several Vietnamese provinces.

The project aims to strengthen the province’s capacity to provide quality education for children with disabilities by improving teacher training and building a more inclusive learning environment.

Activities include training courses led by specialists, on-site workshops for local educators, school visits, and surveys to help develop a core group of teachers with expertise in inclusive education.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Japanese Consul General Ono Masuo said the Japanese government hopes the project will help strengthen ties between Japan and Vietnam not only at the government level but also through grassroots exchanges.

He also thanked authorities in Ca Mau for their support and close cooperation with Asia Rainbow in implementing the project.

Japanese Consul General Ono Masuo added that developing an inclusive education system means creating schools where children with and without disabilities can learn together to the greatest extent possible.

While this remains one of the major challenges facing the education sector, he said it is also an important step toward building a more equitable society.

Le Hoang Du, deputy director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, said caring for children with disabilities is not only a legal obligation but also a matter of conscience, compassion, and fairness.

"Every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to attend school, be respected, develop their potential and build a better future. That is the true meaning of leaving no one behind," he said.

Ca Mau is home to around 2,720 people with disabilities aged between one and 18.

Many children still have limited access to education or specialized support services.

The province currently has one special education school with 33 classes serving 286 students from preschool to high school.

The first phase of the project received a Japanese grant of $108,650.

Together with the latest $114,772 grant, Japan has so far contributed a total of $223,422 to support inclusive education in the province.