Schools for children with disabilities urge NGOs to become their partners

Principals of schools for children with disabilities call on representatives of civil society and the business sector to establish partnership relations with them, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a roundtable meeting organized by the General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, the head of the Chisinau-based Special School No. 12 Nina Rusu said their students need hearing aids and batteries that are replaced practically every week as the allocations from the state are insufficient. “It is hard to convince certain organizations to become our partners. Some of them are skeptical about the correct use of the allocated funds, even if many actions are explained. We earn their trust only when they see results. We made approaches to many economic entities. Some of them became our partners,” she stated. The head of the Bilateral Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau Alfonz Markovics said that they established partnerships with many schools and are satisfied with this cooperation. “It’s easy to work with Missis Nina Rusu. I want to say that we are waiting for other cooperation possibilities,” he said. Maria Povorozniuc, senior specialist on inclusive education for children with special educational needs at the General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, said the promotion of educational practices in developing partnerships with civil society will facilitate educational inclusion. “The stronger social partnerships between schools and NGOs will promote inclusive education. The preuniversity education institutions need partnerships. Fourteen NGOs have signed contracts for the social inclusion of children with disabilities with the Division so far,” she stated. According to the General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, 232 children with visual impairments, 162 children with hearing impairments, 502 children with mental disabilities and 305 speech-impaired children study at schools in Chisinau.