Transcript INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN ARMENIA PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION Presenter: Susanna Tadevosyan “Bridge of Hope” NGO Armenia Moscow 27-29 Moscow CONFERENCE ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Unite for children.

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN ARMENIA
PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
Presenter: Susanna Tadevosyan
“Bridge of Hope” NGO
Armenia
Moscow
27-29 Moscow
CONFERENCE ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH
DISABILITIES
Unite for
children
1996
Bridge of Hope has been established by Parents of
CWD, teachers, rehab specialist, Devoted Individuals
HOW THE IDEAS AND BELIFES IN INCLUSIVE
EDUCATION BECAME A STATE POLICY
1998:
UNICEF supported participation of MOES and BoH in the 5th
International Congress on Integration of Children with
Disabilities.
2001:
• MOU between MOES and BOH to start the 1st pilot of IE.
• UNICEF – the 1st training on “IE and Assessment Practice”.
2002:
UNICEF – the 1st evaluation of IE in Armenia.
Conclusion: “In comparison to 2000, the inclusive education
movement in Armenia has grown and consolidated…”.
2003-2005: Expansion of IE pilot initiative in 4 more schools.
PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
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International Community
Family, community
Schools
Ministries
Civil Society Organizations
Parliament
Public-private partnerships
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
• UNICEF (technical assistance, consultancy, trainings,
community centers).
• OXFAM, NOVIB (financing schools, teacher trainings,
resource centers)
• OSI AF (study visits, conferences)
• OSI ESP (support to inclusive schools)
• DANIDA
• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Mission East
Advocacy, in-service and pre-service training, expansion of
inclusive schools and towards inclusive system of education.
FAMILY, COMMUNITY, SCHOOLS
• Parent Support Groups
• National Network of Parents
(www.parentsnetwork.am)
• Community-based Child Development Centers in
Tavush
• Partnership with schools, local government
• School Network (www.inclusion.am)
CIVIL SOCIETY
• From competing to partnering
• Disability Advocacy Coalition of NGOs (DAC)
www.disabilitycoalition.am
• Disability Month Campaign
• Establishment of National and Regional Disability
Councils.
GOVERNMENT
• Ministry of Education and Science
www.edu.am
• Ministry of Labor and Social Issues
www.mss.am
• Marzpetarans (a province with administrative unite of
regions).
• Local Self-Government
PARLIAMENT
• Commissions
• Commission Experts
• Individual MPs
• Lobbying
MEDIA
• Periodic trainings for journalists
– Language and ethics; social model
• Press Conferences
• Exchange of Information
• Award Ceremonies
• Public Education campaigns
LIVING TOGETHER, LEARNING TOGETHER
• 77 schools with Inclusive practices
• Pilot of new pedagogical position - ‘Teacher Assistant’
in 77 schools.
• Inclusive data of children in schools and communities.
• New financial procedures to inclusive schools.
• Inclusive standards
• Inclusive legislation
CHALLENGES
• Attitude of teachers, professionals and decision
makers.
• Lack of community based services.
• Old teaching methods.
• Domination of medical model of disability in the
country.
• Inaccessible school buidings and public transport.
• Inclusion of children with severe forms of hearing
and visual impairements.
• Pre-service education of special education
teachers is based on defectology.
LESSONS LEARNED
• Education according to the learning needs, not the
characteristics of their impairments.
• All levels of personnel need training and awarenessraising, including principles.
• Inclusion should change the system, not the child.
• Focus on enabling children to participate and learn
within the educational environment.
• Bottom up approach to IE.
• Inclusion starts in our minds, ideas and beliefs and
than in policies and practices.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
UNITE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Questions and Answers