A number of parents from Congaz village of ATU Gagauzia complained they cannot register their children with special educational needs (SENs) to the first grade in the local auxiliary school. The Center of Legal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities, which offers support to these parents, said the violation of the disabled students’ right to mandatory education is a serious form of discrimination against children.
In a news conference at IPN, the Center’s executive director Vitalie Mester said the parents for five years have been unable to enroll their children at the auxiliary school in Congaz for the reason that such classes are no longer formed. The Ministry of Education should intervene and tale immediate measures to ensure the disabled children’s access to primary education.
Elena Stajila, programs director at the Center, said the Ministry provides evasive answers to parents’ injuries. “We want to know the reason for the non-admission of these children. In the middle of the last school year, several children were admitted to this school, but as part of the fifth grade and this is worrisome. Even if the children are taught according to individualized plans, the education process should be ensured in the class appropriate to their age,” stated Elena Stajila.
Svetlana Bargan, parent, said she was recommended to go not the auxiliary school where there are logopedists, defectologists and psychologists wagon can help her child learn to speak, read and write. But she found out that the school does not accept children to the first grade. The woman said is in a difficult situation as she cannot ensure the child’s education at home.
Valentina Gardeievkaya, the mother of a child with the Down syndrome, said it is not right to keep the child at home as this can obtain appropriate knowledge if this is integrated into the education system, alongside other children.
Dumitru Darea, consultant of the child’s ombudsperson, said the Office of the People’s Ombudsperson will monitor the situation and voiced hope the local authorities will provide a plausible explanation so as to later reach a decision in the interests of the child.
After the news conference, the parents went to the Government Building to mount a protest. They chanted: “Stop discrimination!”, “All the children are equal!”, “First class for everyone” etc.
