KUALA LUMPUR - Every child has the right to education and equal opportunities in life.

This is what the National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC) has been fighting for since its inception in 2005.

The council fights for the rights of children with learning disabilities as they are particularly at risk of being marginalised or discriminated against.

NECIC will hold its fifth conference this year at Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu (KSKB) Sultan Azlan Shah, Ulu Kinta, Perak from tomorrow to Saturday.

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) will also be part of the conference, along with other international and Malaysian experts.

The conference will discuss and find solutions to create an inclusive education system in Malaysia that will benefit every child, including a child with disability.

It also acts as a wake-up call for all stakeholders of children in Malaysia to take action in ensuring every child has access and opportunity to study in a classroom that accepts and welcomes them.

In all settings, children and young adults with disabilities want the same opportunities to achieve qualifications and skills that will lead to job opportunities as well as help them to gain confidence and control over their own lives.

Unfortunately, for some there are barriers that contribute to bad experiences in mainstream settings.

Those who wish to share their opinions may do so via #edu4allMY at http://twubs.com/edu4allMY, a digital town hall by Unicef Malaysia and NECIC in finding solutions to create an inclusive education.

The digital town hall will be held offline and online on Thursday, from 6pm to 7pm, and is one of several initiatives in 2014 to celebrate 60 years of Unicef in Malaysia and the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The digital town hall will engage with parents with children with disabilities, issue experts and advocates for children with disabilities.

Source:
Malay Mail - Conference strives for inclusive education for all (PDF)