On March 20 and 21, the International Center for Human Development (ICHD) and the Armavir Development Center (ADC) organized and jointly carried out public discussions in Martuni and Armavir cities in the scope of the “For Quality and Accessible Inclusive Education and Social Support” sub-grant provided in the scope of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project.
The aim of the meetings was to discuss the quality and effectiveness of educational services provided by educational institutions and the social services provided by the community support centers that implement inclusive education in Armavir, Gegharkunik, Kotayk and Vayots Dzor marzes of the RA, schools, inclusive education institutions in order to reveal the peculiarities of the process, the main shortcomings as well as to consider the directions and steps for their improvement.
Representatives of regional administrations of the 4 marzes, local self governments, school teachers, pupils, CSO representatives, parents, people with disabilities (their parents, kindergarten staff, etc. attended the public discussions..
Meetings were held in an atmosphere of heated discussions. The concept of universal inclusive education and the mechanisms of implementation are perhaps one of the most unassailable ones in the Armenian society. The discussions made it clear that the approaches of participants on inclusive education are extremely different, but one thing is clear – regardless of their position on the idea of inclusion, the mechanisms for its implementation and the results achieved are generally unsatisfactory. These events were the opportunity to settle fair disputes and try to understand the public as a result of discussion.
The proposals will be summed up by the experts of the International Center for Human Development and the Armavir Development Center NGO and will be submitted to the Government of Armenia for considering the public opinion on the way to the establishment of the universal inclusive education system in Armenia.
