After the implementation period of the inclusive education program in Moldova for 2011-2020 has been over half covered, the community and the school became more prepared to accept children with special educational needs (SENs). The subject was raised by representatives of NGOs and experts in a press club meeting on November 30. A video that disseminates the idea that the school is for everyone was launched the same day, IPN reports.
Keystone Moldova promotes inclusive education at 15 kindergartens. The association’s executive director Ludmila Malcoci said it is important for all the children, including those with SENs, to have access to education since kindergarten as later the child easier integrates into school. Moldova made considerable progress in ensuring inclusive education. However, there is particular resistance on the part of pedagogues when it is about children with intellectual disabilities because most of them are not ready to work with such children. The large number of chidden in classes and the opposition of some parents are among other problems.
Ina Cazacu, of the Criuleni-based public association “Woman and Child – Protection and Support”, said there is insufficient support staff for children with SENs in kindergartens, while educators most of the times are not ready to work with these children. Parents should work together with the teaching staff or the efforts to include the children will be useless.
Carolina Buzdugan, secretary of the Alliance of Active NGOs in Social Protection of Child and Family, said that Moldova pledged to align itself to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to contribute to eradication of poverty and ensure sustainable development. One of the objectives is to ensure high quality education as each child has the right to such education. It is important for everyone to realize the message of the launched video.
Veronica Chicu-Boboc, head of the Youth Media Center, said the video was made by the Center’s team and its goal is to show that each child should be integrated into school, regardless of ethnicity or disability. It was made in Peresecina, where there are inclusive institutions. The protagonists are children of different ages who say what school means for them and why they go to school. As of December 1, the video will be broadcast at a number of TV channels during three months. Two more media products will be launched later within the same campaign.
Inclusive education Moldova started in 2011, together with the approval of the inclusive education program for 2011-2020. More than 10,000 children with SENs have been included in mainstream education since then.
