INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN UZBEKISTAN

The workshops “Trainings for Trainers” were organized within the Project on April 20-23, and on May 18-23, 2015, in Tashkent region. 40 people from among the regional experts and trainers on Inclusive Education from Termez, Samarkand, Tashkent city and Tashkent region, Urgench and Namangan participated in these seminars. The workshops were conducted by Project Experts – Mr. Matthew Griffiths and Ms. Lola Mumino va. During the first workshop, each trainer possessed the knowledge and skills on the inclusive education practices; as a result of the second workshop, the participants gained an understanding and skills of training on inclusive education for directors, teachers and the administrative staff of schools and the Resource Centers, as well as parents and everyone who works with children with special needs.

In the process of training the participants studied the theory of inclusion, in particular such concepts as support for children with special educational needs in general education, models of differentiated teaching and learning, reflective practice, and learned how to identify the barriers in the learning environment. During the practical part of the workshop, the participants developed presentations and packages of documents required in the training of teachers in pilot schools and preschool institutions, to work with parents of children with special needs and parents of children without special needs.

It should be noted a special activity of future trainers: all participants actively and amicably worked together, shared experiences, learned from each other, and learned the new things. All of them were united by one good purpose – aspiration to come to such an education, in which all children, no matter how different they may be, have the opportunity to enter into a happy future. Participants – future trainers felt the importance of inclusive thinking not only in pedagogical, but also in the social communication of people. Nonstereotypical perception of other person, inadmissibility of stigma, stereotypes in relation to the students, children, and all people – is the basis of inclusion.

It is important to accept it, to make the norm of the relationship. No one was bored during the trainings. Each participant expanded his knowledge of the principles and values of inclusive education, of methods for inclusion in pedagogical and social community. There was a confidence that the acquired knowledge would contribute to the progress of the Project. Simple rules and regulations were discussed in the tr aining: etiquette of human relationships, communication and correct behavior in dealing with children with special needs. It is important to each person to be able to avoid awkwardness in dealing with people. It helps to make our society free from barriers and prejudices.