Inclusive Education through Experiential Curriculum: Impact on Student Engagement in Bangladesh
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59595/ajie.13.1.2
Md Mahadia Hossaina
aIndependent Researcher
(Received 10 March 2025, Final revised version received 27 October 2025)
Bangladesh is introducing experiential learning to transform education, focusing on inclusivity. This approach emphasizes engaging all students, particularly those with disabilities. This research explores the impact of implementing an experiential curriculum in inclusive education, focusing on student engagement, particularly for those with disabilities. Utilising a qualitative approach with multiple case studies across six schools, including urban and rural settings, the study incorporates focus group discussions and teacher interviews. Thematic analysis is applied to interpret data patterns, while research tools are designed based on key insights into student engagement dimensions. Findings indicate a positive shift in behavioural, emotional, and academic aspects of engagement. Students with disabilities exhibit increased attendance and preference for experiential learning due to its interactive nature. Teachers report heightened participation, transforming students from habitual inactivity to enthusiastic engagement. Challenges like understanding class contents, active participation, finishing assignments exist in difficult subjects such as English, yet the overall impact is profound. Experiential learning fosters collaborative dynamics, addressing isolation concerns and boosting confidence among students with disabilities. Professional development for teachers is crucial to effectively implement experiential strategies and address subject-specific challenges. In conclusion, this research advocates that policymakers can use the findings to integrate experiential learning into education policies, fostering classroom engagement for students with disabilities. Stakeholders, including educators, NGOs, and parents, can collaborate to improve engagement strategies, promoting better learning outcomes for all students.
Keywords: experiential learning; student engagement; inclusive education; students with disabilities