May 5, 2011
An international conference titled “Social Strategies of Inclusive Education” on May 5 focused on issues concerning inclusive education in Uzbekistan and ways of further integration of children with disabilities in society. Held at Tashkent’s Radisson SAS Hotel, the conference was organized by the Social Initiatives Support Fund (SISF), Special Olympics Uzbekistan and the Fund Forum with assistance from the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education, the Ministry of Public Education and the UNESCO Tashkent Office.
The conference, held as part of the ongoing project “Inclusive Education in Uzbekistan” devised by Gulnara Karimova, brought together representatives of government bodies, international organizations and the business community along with Oliy Majlis (parliament) deputies, senators and NGOs. It was supported by Special Olympics regional offices for Europe/Eurasia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Global Sports Partners, the embassies of Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, Iran, Pakistan and the UK, the United National Development Program and DVV International among others.
The conference participants exchanged experience and swapped opinions on the current activities in inclusive education and came up with proposals regarding further development of inclusive education and collaboration among various organizations as well as joint plans and strategies.
Launched by the SISF in 2007, the project “Inclusive Education in Uzbekistan” has benefitted over 40,000 people in the twelve regions of Uzbekistan. The beneficiaries include children and their parents, teachers, kindergarten staff and teaching method specialists. Currently, over 600 children with disabilities are attending test schools across the country, and over 10 coaches have been trained and 125 teachers and nursery school staff have participated in training sessions and workshops organized under the project. Tests have revealed a 20-percent boost in the children’s morale and social state.
Another notable upshot of the project has been the development of a National Model of Inclusive Education in the form of a manual, which has been introduced into test schools for inclusive education. Presently, such test schools and kindergartens can be found in Andijan, Kokand, Ferghana, Jizzakh, Karshi, Gulistan, Navoi, Samarkand, Tashkent and Nukus.
Also, activities have been put in place to attract public attention to issues relating to the social adaptation and support of people with disabilities.
Recently, a series of charitable marathons were organized throughout the country. Over 600 people with disabilities participated in the fundraising marathon, with part of the proceeds going toward supporting an inclusive education school in Jizzakh city.
Another in the series of major projects is a collaborative campaign with Special Olympics Uzbekistan, which sees the organization of sporting competitions, World Peace Day soccer matches as well as fundraisers to benefit disabled children.
Related links
A Large Scale Forum in Tashkent