“Global Week of Actionâ€‌ first time in Moldova2014

The Alliance of NGOs for social protection of children and families (ASPCF), CCF Moldova, “Sperantaâ€‌ Center in partnership with the Ministry of Education organize the Global Action Week, which takes place simultaneously in about 100 countries in the period 4-10 May. In our country it will last till 24 May 2014 with a series of activities. The action aims at raising awareness and informing public society of the right to education of children with disabilities in an inclusive environment, through the “Equal Rights = Equal Opportunities. Education for Allâ€‌ campaign.

The need to organize the campaign on international level is determined by the large number of people with disabilities who need support in exercising their right to education. “There are about 1 billion people with a disability worldwide. They face multiple barriers in participation in society as citizens with equal rights. Particularly their right to education is often not exercised. This fact results in limited exercise of other rights and enormous obstacles in realizing their potential and effectively participation in their community,â€‌ Lucia Gavrilita, director of “Sperantaâ€‌ Centre stated.

In the press conference representatives of ASPCF and the Ministry of Education presented their views on Inclusive Education. The representative of the Ministry of Education stated:

The concept of inclusive education is complex and has specific dominances at various stages of implementation. Today inclusive education in the Republic of Moldova means empowering each child with the necessary skills to capitalize their potential in different social contexts. Therefore the focus will be shifted from teaching - learning - evaluation. Personal performance and well-being of every child are particularly important among indicators measuring the quality of that process. We shall join our efforts to succeed to make the next step.

The summary of the report developed within the Global Campaign for Education “Equal Rights = Equal Opportunities. Education for Allâ€‌ and the survey results launched on Facebook on inclusive education of children with disabilities conducted between 15^th of April – 3^rd of May were presented at the conference.

The initial results of the survey, based on 215 responses, show that 35% of respondents believe that pupils with Special Educational Needs (SENs) should learn in special schools, although 32% of them believe that in such case children should remain in the family. Gratifying is that 65% of respondents believe that children with SENs should enjoy family and education in the general school from community. However, opinions on how ready school is to integrate children with disabilities are divided - 40% of respondents believe that school is ready, while 45% of them have the opposite opinion. 75% of respondents know stories of successful inclusion of children with SENs in schools.

Respondents believed that the most important qualities teachers shall have to ensure inclusion are: understanding of the needs of children, individual approach to children with SENs, tolerance and professionalism. As for children, the most important qualities in descending order are: friendliness, helpfulness, if necessary, tolerance.

Civil society plays a key role in helping developing relevant policies, but also in the monitoring of their implementation. Representatives of over 45 local NGOs will be trained 1 year in policies, public budgets, monitoring and advocacy. We will carry out an analysis of the implementation of the Inclusive Education programme in the first 3 years (2011-2020 ), will organize an awareness campaign and will promote national, regional and even global dialogue with colleagues from other countries where similar actions are conductedâ€‌, Liliana Rotaru, director of CFC Moldova concluded.

The agenda of the Global Action Week includes several activities:

• the social event “Equal Rights = Equal Opportunities. Education for Allâ€‌, which will be held on  7 May in the Public Garden “Stefan cel Mareâ€‌ where pupils, teachers, human rights activists and all supporters of the educational inclusion of children with disabilities are invited;
• visits to exchange experience in schools with inclusive practices, from 13 to 24 May
• trainings for educators, teachers and professors of educational institutions;
• handing out literature sets and specialty materials to Pedagogical Assistance Services and teaching staff in 32 counties.

The Global Action Week takes place as part of the “Dynamization Inclusive Education in the Republic of Moldovaâ€‌ implemented from 1 April 2014 till 31 March 2015 by ASPCF with the support of the Global Campaign for Education “Global Week of Action in Moldovaâ€‌ implemented by “Sperantaâ€‌ Center with the financial support of the Pestalozzi Children's Fund.

 We hope to see you at the public event on 7 May, 02:00 p.m., Public Garden “Stefan cel Mareâ€‌.