UNICEF calls for safe and inclusive schools and applauds Uzbekistan Government’s leadership on a bold inclusion agenda
Safe and inclusive school an important lever for quality education
TASHKENT, September 4, 2024 – As Uzbekistan pupils and students go back to school and start a new schooling year, the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today applauded the government of Uzbekistan for a consistent, bold and ambitious inclusive education agenda and called on communities, parents and teachers to ensure that schools are inclusive and safe communities for all children.
To date the government has opened doors for 1195 children with disabilities in over 530 schools across Uzbekistan in line with the Сoncept of Development of Inclusive Education in the System of Public Education in 2020 – 2025 years, approved by the Presidential Order # 4860.
“The government has been exemplary, bold and decisive in laying a foundation for safe and inclusive education across the country,” said Ms Regina Castillo, UNICEF Uzbekistan Representative. “But the needs are growing every day. We all need to be agile and decisive to meet the growing demand.”
The 2024/2025 new school year will see over 6.5 million students and 525,000 teachers return to 1,018 schools nationwide after the summer break. Among them, 670,000 children are entering first grade for the first time, a significant milestone that calls for special attention and support to ensure they are school-ready and transition smoothly into the learning environment.
Evidence and practice has shown that implementing inclusive education is key in improving overall quality of education. Inclusive education is child-centred (rather than curriculum-centred) and ensures better learning outcomes for all children by employing pedagogy that responds to the needs of every child, including children with disabilities. For instance, with 98% of children with additional education needs included in mainstream schools, Portugal is consistently ranked in the top 30 educational systems in the world.
Further, evidence shows that inclusive education is central to building learning communities that uphold every child’s right to education, consistently removing barriers to learning through universal design and personalization of learning, digital technologies and assistive devices.
Inclusive and safe schools also promote a sense of belonging and respect within schools,encourage to value diversity, collaboration and teamwork, develop empathy and understanding among students. A large body of research indicates that included students with disabilities develop stronger skills in reading and mathematics, have higher rates of attendance, are less likely to have behavioral problems, and are more likely to complete secondary school than students who have not been included.
As adults, students with disabilities who have been included are more likely to be enrolled in post-secondary education, and to be employed or living independently for instance studies by, Dr Hehir, Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (2016); The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education (2018) have demonstrated this huge return on investment in inclusive education.
In partnership with the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education, UNICEF, is developing a “Roadmap for Inclusive Education,” set to launch this academic year. This roadmap will provide a clear vision for expanding access to education for children with disabilities and for establishing models of quality inclusive schools throughout the country.
“As children go back to school, we are excited about this renewed focus on safe and inclusive schools,” said Ms Castillo. “But everyone has to contribute to safe and inclusive schools. Families should bring their children to inclusive; teachers and schools should be ready to teach, welcome and include children, mahalla leaders should encourage communities to end stigma and discrimination of сhildren with вisabilities.”
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work in Uzbekistan, visit www.unicef.uz
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For media queries please contact:
Yana Chicherina Education Specialists UNICEF Uzbekistan Phone: +99893 590 88 89 E-mail: [email protected] | Nargiza Egamberdieva Communication Officer UNICEF Uzbekistan Phone: +99893 380 34 19 E-mail: [email protected] |
