Kindergartens from almost 200 communities have been involved in the activities of the “Partnerships for Inclusion” project, which was implemented by the NGO “Femeia și Copilul-Protecție şi Sprijin” (FCPS) from Criuleni. Over one thousand persons were trained in the field of socio-educational inclusion and have had over one hundred consultancy visits to different communities, in order to solve inclusion issues concerning over 50 children with special education needs.
FCPS Executive Director Victoria Secu says that the project commenced with a study of existing challenges in the field of socio-educational inclusion. That is, limited access to early education. The educators were having a difficult time in organizing an inclusive educational process, and the parents were hardly involved in the education and recovery sessions of their children with early-onset disabilities.
The project continued with the elaboration of an education and training program for representatives of at least 300 kindergartens throughout the country. Another activity focused on strengthening partnerships in this field. Consequently, groups of mobile mentors undertook monitoring visits to kindergartens, followed by reunions aimed at the consolidation of partnership across different sectors.
The final report meeting, organized at the end of November, also hosted parents whose children have special education needs. “My child has been going to kindergarten for four years. Since he has a difficult time following the program, I decided to let him go to preschool for another year. When he came into a new group, he turned aggressive towards the rest of the children. For the first two weeks, we went to kindergarten and participated in all of the activities together. Now I can state that he is a child like any other, except he requires more attention,” tells project beneficiary Tatiana Maxim.
Aurelia Muștuc, an early education professional from the Șoldănești Education Department, has confirmed that the project has been of use to both the professionals and the parents concerned. “Children have the right to go to kindergarten, to be included early, but we have much work to do regarding the difficulties we face, and we ought to seek positive solutions, support the faculty who work with these children. We should also aim to motivate and persuade parents to acknowledge and understand their children’s problems, and to take part in the group education process, alongside their children,” the expert added.
Maria Vrânceanu, Head Consultant at the Education Department of the Ministry of Education, Science and Research, said that the project involved community-level workers who cater to the needs of the children. In the beginning, it seemed impossible to have the educators and social assistants work hand-in-hand, to draw up individualized plans for the children, the project activities have proven that it is possible. “All of the projected activities have been well planned in order to form this mutual trust, to give educators the boost necessary to overcome obstacles, some of which they initially disregarded as their concern,” said Maria Vrânceanu.
The “Partnerships for Inclusion” project has been funded by the Czech Development Agency. Ambassador Zdenek Crejci stated that his country would continue supporting Moldova. “We will take into account Moldova’s needs along with the Czech experience in this field,” the diplomat mentioned.
Vladimir Cerbov, a representative of Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova, a partner of the project, has pointed out the importance of the activities aimed towards an impactful result and has recommended closer cooperation between state institutions and social services, striving to secure durable project results.
