INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN UZBEKISTAN

The “Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs in Uzbekistan” Project took part in the photo exhibition “Faces of the European Union Cooperation” in Tashkent. The exhibition was organized by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Uzbekistan, under the support of the Academy of Arts, as part of celebration of Europe Days in Uzbekistan and the European Year of Development. Beneficiaries of EU-funded projects were captured in portraits by the young talented Uzbek photographer Mukhiddin Ali. The exhibition was open to the public in the Tashkent House of Photography from June 5 to June 12.

Children participating in the Project “Inclusive Education” from Tashkent, Samarkand and Urgench, and the first visitors of the Project Resource Centers in these cities were involved at the exhibition. Each portrait was followed by a personal story. One of the young participants of the project shared that it was the first experience of professional photo shoot for her and she will remember it for a long time. All participants enjoyed the photography process and were pleased with the result after visiting the exhibition.

The European Union Ambassador to Uzbekistan Mr. Yuri Sterk said at the opening ceremony, “We have tried to show the human faces and lives behind the technical descriptions and everything that is part of everyday project management. These people are an integral part of our partnership. They are exactly the “Faces of cooperation with the European Union”. The opening ceremony was attended by ambassadors and members of diplomatic missions accredited in Uzbekistan, representatives of national partner organizations, figures of culture and art, photographers and journalists.

Anisa Khamdamova, 5 years, pupil of the pilot kindergarten No. 76 Samarkand

Anisa loves to draw, sing and dance. Her dream is to go to school which is located near the house. We visit the Resource Center funded by the EU Project “Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs in Uzbekistan” in the school No. 17 in Samarkand, where we get all the necessary support (Malika Alimzhonova, mother of Anisa).

Jonona Rakhmatullayeva, 14 years old, a student of the 7th class of the pilot school No.35 in Samarkand, visitor of the Resource Center at school No.17

Jonona is very cheerful, lively girl. She dreams to become a singer. Now she studies at school No. 35 and recently started visiting the Resource Center at school No.17. She enjoys dancing, music and singing, visits the circle of beading, dancing and singing. We are happy that we actively participate in the activities of the EU Project “Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs in Uzbekistan”(Rokhat Rakhmatullayeva, Jonona’s mother).

Amir Bazarov, 8 years old, student of the specialized school No. 1, visitor of the Resource Center at school No. 17, Samarkand

In our family Amiristhe eldest. He is my right hand. He dreams to become the cook in the future and wants to learn to cook pilaf in a Samarkand way. He has a lot of friends. We often visit the Project Resource Centre in Samarkand, get professional support there, learn news and keep in touch with other project participants (Sabina Bazarova, mother of Amir).

Azizbek Duschanov, 7 years old, student of 1st class of the pilot school No. 8, Urgench

Azizbek is the eldest child in the family. He began speaking in 5 years. Now he does well at school, actively participates in school activities, he is good at writing and arithmetic. He perfectly plays checkers, likes to play computer games and to watch football. I am glad that we would visit the Resource Center of “Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs in Uzbekistan” Project in order to help Azizbek to achieve progress in education (MansurDuschanov, father of Azizbek).

Dasha Lee, 6 years old, visitor of the Resource Center of school No. 324, Tashkent

I am grateful to the EU Project “Inclusive Education” for the opportunity to use services of the Resource Centers, to get advice on all matters of interest for the whole family, and the most important – possibility for our children to get education at school on par with their peers. My daughter began to communicate with peers, became more inquisitive and self-confident. The Project team, school and our family gave her support and assistance (Sabina Akhmetshinova, Dasha’s mother).

Bekhrouza Abdulzhanova, 8 years old, student of school No. 34, Tashkent, visitor of the Resource Center at school No. 324 Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Learning that the EU Project “Inclusive Education” is implementing in Uzbekistan, I contacted the Resource Center for advice. I was very happy that my daughter would be able to study in secondary school. I think this will help my child to get a quality education, gain the support of friends, and will make her peers more tolerant. I wish that special needs of my girl became her advantages. (Diyora Muftizade, mother of Bekhrouza)

Photos courtesy of the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan (http://www. eeas.europa.eu/delegations/uzbekistan)