Expanding Support for Students with Special Educational Needs

Governments across the world are introducing new initiatives and funding to improve access to education for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As the number of SEND students continues to grow, many education systems are under pressure to reform and expand their support.

SEND students are those who have learning difficulties or disabilities, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or hearing and speech impairments, that make it harder for them to learn than their peers. They often require tailored resources, trained staff, or special environments to fully access education.

England: Urgent Reforms and Infrastructure Investment

In England, a government-commissioned review recently called for "complex changes" to the current system. The review proposed a tiered model of support, universal, targeted, and specialist services, to better respond to the needs of all SEND students. It also recommended stronger collaboration between schools, families, and health services, along with improved staff training. These proposals are expected to inform a White Paper currently being developed.

To support these reforms, the UK government has pledged £740 million to create 10,000 new specialist school places, adapt mainstream school buildings for accessibility, and open new SEND units.

Additionally, a £1.7 million pilot project is being implemented in 4,000 schools across England, allowing educators to borrow assistive technologies like speech devices, tablets, and reading pens to support students with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.

Despite these positive steps, ongoing concerns remain about long distances to available SEND placements and rising transport costs for local authorities, which are forecasted to reach £3.6 billion by 2030.

New Zealand: Historic Funding in Budget 2025

New Zealand's 2025 budget includes a record NZ$646 million investment to improve learning support for children with additional needs. The funding will expand early intervention services, add more specialist teachers and teacher aides, and upgrade classroom infrastructure.

Key investments include:

• NZ$266 million for early intervention through Year 1
   
• NZ$122 million to support high-needs students through the Ongoing Resource Scheme
   
• NZ$90 million for 25 new learning-support classrooms and hundreds of accessibility upgrades

Education Minister Erica Stanford said this funding will help meet the needs of thousands of children currently waiting for support.

India: Kerala Launches Inclusive Textbooks

In India, the state of Kerala has taken a major step toward inclusive education by introducing specialized textbooks for hearing-impaired children in grades 1 to 3. The new books, developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), use visual storytelling, simplified text, and digital tools to support literacy and language development.

Officials have called the books a model for national-level adoption. Teachers and disability rights advocates have praised the initiative for improving communication and classroom engagement.

A Global Shift Toward Inclusive Education

Across different systems and regions, one common trend is emerging: inclusive education is essential and can no longer be delayed. While significant funding commitments are being made, experts stress that long-term success will depend on effective delivery, staff training, and sustained support at all levels.

Sources: 

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/03/schools-england-complex-changes-special-needs-pupils-review-says

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/740-million-allocated-for-10000-new-places-for-pupils-with-send 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-children-with-send-to-benefit-from-assistive-tech

https://ifs.org.uk/publications/spending-special-educational-needs-england-something-has-change

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/22/budget-2025-646-million-boost-for-student-learning-support/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/spcial-textbooks-for-hearing-impaired-kids/articleshow/122166758.cms