Concluding Observation Committee on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/IRN/CO/3-4 para
68(b)
Full recommendation
Set up comprehensive measures to develop inclusive education and ensure that inclusive
education is given priority over the placement of children in specialized institutions and classes.
Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators1
Iran has made progress in expanding access to education for children with disabilities by
significantly increasing the budget for specialized education and establishing physical
accessibility requirements for newly built or renovated schools. It has also expanded some
support to children with disabilities attending mainstream schools by offering accessible
education material, including in braille or audio formats.
Article 30 of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution guarantees free education for all through
the secondary level.2 Adopted in March 2018, the Comprehensive Law to Protect Disabled
Persons3 guarantees fundamental rights and privileges for persons with disabilities in areas such
as accessibility, tuition free education, rehabilitation, and employment. However, the legislation
does not contain comprehensive measures to develop inclusive education and does not give
priority to inclusive education over the placement of children in specialized institutions and
classes.
The law requires “all ministries, government organizations, and public and revolutionary
institutions to design, produce and construct public buildings and facilities, roads and service
equipment” that are accessible to persons with disabilities.4 Although the law requests access to
children with disabilities to newly and renovated public schools, it does not mention schools
already built that are not accessible to children with disabilities.5
The Department of Special Education is responsible for providing education at the pre-primary
to the secondary/vocational levels for children with mental, hearing, visual, physical and
development disabilities.6
1
CRC.25.S.1; CRC.25.S.2; CRC.28.1.S.1; CRC.28.4.S.1; CRC.25.P.1; CRC.25.P.3; ESCR.13.2.P.2; CRC.25.O.3;
ESCR.13.1.O.3
2
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/constitutionenglish-1368.pdf
3
The law to Protect the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: < http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/1054682 >
4
Article 9 of the Comprehensive Law to Protect Disabled Persons
5
http://dotic.ir/news/6053
6
UNESCO < http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002297/229715E.pdf > pg. 34-35.
1