Education for children with disabilities in Russia opportunities and chalenges

Transcription

1 Education for children with disabilities in Russia opportunities and chalenges

2 Official Statistics Pension statistics: Number of children with disabilities receiving social pensions: Persons, thous Per 1,000 children: ;

3 Official statistics Health statistics: Number of disabled children, thous, in , including by main limitation factors limited abilities: For adequate behavior To communicate with other persons 93.1 To move around For acting with hands 12.5 To command own body 27.7 to look after themselves 44.1

4 Official statistics Health statistics: Total Number of disabled children, thous, in 2008 by diseases caused invalidity 506.6, including: Psychotic illness and dementia Nervous system

5 WE DO NOT KNOW AGE GROUPS : 0-3 Preschool age School age, including in primary schools, basic education stage, etc GENDER WHERE DO THESE CHILDREN LIVE? Big, small cities, remote villages, etc.??? WHAT ARE THEIR and THEIR FAMILIES NEEDS IN SERVICES, MATERIAL SUPPORT, AND CONDITIONS to enable full development of child potential, inclusion in the society (and in schools), etc..

6 Ministry of education and Science Statistics At the beginning of ,000 children with disabilities are isolated from other children when they are learning. 211,000 children with disabilities or with limited health opportunities studied in special schools for children with disabilities or internat schools. 45,000 children studied at home. 17,000 children received no education at all. (source Alexander Fursenko in interview with Novaya Gazetta)

7 Many schools not ready to accept children with physical and intellectual disabilities Many schools not have adequate facilities that children with disabilities may need Many teachers and directors of schools do not know enough about disabilities and are not ready to integrate children with disabilities in the educational process.

8 Parents of children with disabilitlies Do not know how to protect their children s rights to education, and some parents are sure that it is more safety and even effective for their children to get education in specialized schools where the number of children in each class is much less then in regular schools, and professional teachers now better how to educate their children following specially adopted for them programs. WHILE Parents of children without disabilities fear that their children s education could be negatively impacted by inclusion of children with disabilities..

9 ADVANCES Russia s signing of the new UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People in 2008 has led to: enhanced attention to disability issues and highlighted the need to reduce disabled people s segregation and isolation from society and increase opportunities for inclusion.

10 ADVANCES In April 2008,MOES published reommendations for developing services to children with disabilities, where inclusive education (children with physical and mild development difficulties learning in regular, mainstream classes) is listed as one option for integration. At the April meeting, 2009 of the Presidential Council for Disabled, President Medvedev noted We must provide people with disabilities a normal education system, so that children and adolescents with disabilities can study with their peers, including in mainstream schools. It is needed not only for them, but for society itself. ratification of the Convention.

11 ADVANCES Practice of functioning of corrective classes for children with different type of disabilities the bridge to join peers in inclusive class. Potential of special schools as the resource for inclusive schools. Regional initiatives legislation, pilot inclusive schools and preschool education initiatives, early intervention service, etc.,,,

12 Risks / Factors to consider in IE responses/strategies More discussions are needed about the role of IE vis-à-vis other education opportunities (special schools, special classes???) Conducting inclusive classes in secondary (5 th grade and up) as well as primary education Challenge of the united exam (ЕГЭ) and attestat -- For those children who cannot pass this exam what certification can they receive

13 Risks / Factors to consider in IE responses/strategies Importance/value of having parents participate in promoting inclusion etc. Accompanying social services & outreach needed for children with disabilities (and their families) e.g. transportation, social service support to families (parents that don t work to provide greater support to their children), Economic support, employment opportunities/independent living skills

14 WAYS FORWARD Awareness raising of communities to understand disability issues and to promote solidarity for inclusive education initiatives. Making communities more physically accessible for children with disabilities, including transport, school premises, other public facilities (health services, social protection services, stores, etc.), theatres, sports facilities and playgrounds. Expanding higher education and vocational opportunities for young people with disabilities.

15 WAYS FORWARD Expansion of early detection/ screening for disabilities, raising parents awareness about signs of disability or developmental delays and possible actions to enhance development. Enhanced social support to families of children with disabilities that provide families with opportunities to effectively care for their children s needs while also address other family needs and work opportunities (e.g. shared care opportunities or respite care). Capacity building of educational professionals in pre-school and mainstream school facilities and enhancing coordination of special education specialists with mainstream teachers (e.g. development of inclusive education resource centres) who provide regular support for school teachers in the form of training, counseling on individual cases, development together of individual education plans, etc.