Commitment to Constructive Dialogue

“Chatham House” Discussion on Inclusive Education Issues

On 26 April, a narrow professional discussion in Chatham House format was having the objective to highlighting inclusive education and social services, problems, major shortcomings, problem specifics in the regions, as well as key directions and steps for improvement. The discussion was held in the scope of the “For Quality and Accessible Inclusive Education and Social Support” sub-project implemented in the framework of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project.

During the meeting, the Armavir Development Center NGO presented the results of the surveys of inclusive education monitoring and community-based centres providing social services conducted within the framework of the “For Quality and Accessible Inclusive Education and Social Support project.

Specifically, Serob Khachatryan, who conducted the “Problems of Inclusive Education” survey, presented its results and current situation, including issues related to teacher training and professional development, issues of the human capital management, disagreements over children’s educational needs assessment, lack of flexibility of the curricula and the system of assessment of progress, lack of a unified database of children with the need of special education conditions, lack of inter-agency cooperation and other problems.

Anahit Nahapetyan, who conducted the Community Assistance Services Survey, presented its results, the results of the survey and mapping data among the twenty-two community support organizations. A number of issues were mentioned, including donor and temporary funding, specialist training, study of experience, in-house training (without special needs consideration) and other issues.

Project Manager Naira Arakelyan summarized the results of the research. The main conclusions and recommendations of the two areas were presented to the public administration and regional bodies, international organizations, civil society organizations, community structures and other stakeholders. As a result of the discussions on the identified issues, a number of suggestions were elaborated, which are detailed in the minutes of the event.

Analysis of the Results of Expert Meeting in Chatham House Format.