INVESTIGATING THE NATURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES ON THE INCLUSION OF STUDENTS WITH MILD/MODERATE DISABILITIES IN GENERAL EDUCATION SETTINGS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

The government of Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to provide inclusive education for students with disabilities. Inclusive education enables students with disabilities to receive the same educational services and opportunities as their non-disabled peers. However, the current educational system still faces challenges in achieving effective inclusion. The broad goal of effective inclusion is to provide appropriate services and accommodations for individual educational programs and supports that ensure quality education for all children. Many governments, including Saudi Arabia, have advanced specific policies for the inclusion of students with disabilities, particularly those with mild to moderate disabilities, in general education programs. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is still in the preliminary stages of integrating students with disabilities into general educational environments. This study focuses specifically on the perspectives and lived experiences of special education teachers working in elementary schools in Riyadh. The study examines the extent to which existing educational policies in Saudi Arabia encourage the inclusion of students with moderate to severe disabilities in general education classrooms, according to teachers charged with enacting such policies. By analyzing how these teachers interpret and apply inclusive education policies in their everyday practice, the study seeks to illuminate the real-world challenges and contextual dynamics influencing policy implementation. The study identifies systemic gaps and areas where major changes or further improvements are needed to increase the number of students with disabilities in inclusive educational settings. By investigating the current state of inclusive education policies and practices in Saudi Arabia, this research aims to contribute to the development of a more equitable and inclusive educational system for all students.