Education

Inclusive Education

Inclusive education is not a marginal issue, but is central to the acheivement of high quality education for all learners and the development of more inclusive societies.

The democratic and human rights based intent of Inclusive Education is defined in the Salamanca Statement and represented in the 'recognition of the need to work towards 'schools for all' - institutions which include everybody, celebrate differences, support learning, and respond to individula needs'. A committement to this approach is central to UNICEF's work in the CEECIS region.

Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities describes persons with disabilities as 'those who have long-term, physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others'.

This working definition of disability acknowledges the importance of the context and environment in enabling or disabling individuals from participatin effectively within society.

Inclusive Education is not only about issues of input, such as access, and those related to processes,s uch as teacher training, but it involved a shift in underlying values and beliefs held across the system, along with very specific approaches, positions, and solutions. A broad range of strategies at all levels are needed to realize the right of children with disabilities to inclusive education:

Government wide measure to establish the necessary infrastructure:

               -political will and good governance
               -government structures
               -ending institutionalization
               -financing
               -guarantee the right to nondiscrimination
               -strengthening information systems
               -learning from what works
               -partnerships and participation
               -capacity building and awareness raising

Specific targeted measures to promote the right of access and full participation in quality education

                -removing the barriers to inclusive education
                -working and supporting parents
                -early childhood and care services
                -ensuring access and availability of inclusive
                 education
                -creating inclusive learning environments
                -securing appropriate individualized support for
                 children with disabilties
                -developing inclusive curricula, teaching and
                 learning methods
                -introdcution of rights based and inclusive student
                 assessments
                -investment in teacher training
                -support within schools for teachers
                -establishing resources to provide specialist
                 support
                -a child-centered, safe and healthy environment

Respect for rights within learning environments

                -right to respect for identity, culture and language
                -respect for childrens participation rights
                -right to respect for personal and physical integrity

To learn more about how UNICEF is promoting a rights-based approach to Inclusive Education for children with disabilities, click here.

Español Français

A Rights-Based Approach to Education for Children with Disabilities in CEECIS

[English PDF]

Conference on Inclusive Education - Moscow

For proceedings, documents and video from the Moscow Conference, click here.

Partners Meeting on Inclusive Education - 2010

In 2010, the UNICEF Regional Office for CEECIS brought together a group of partners to assess the opportunities and needs in inclusive education in the region and agree on a way forward. More information on the outcomes and the 2010 meeting documents can be found here. The outcomes of this meeting guided the planning of the larger Conference on Inclusive Education, which took place in Moscow in September 2011. For more information on the Moscow Conference, click here.

Search:

Email this article