Denys Shmyhal: Reform of inclusive education should provide parents and children with the right to choose

Children with special educational needs need to retain the opportunity to study in specialized schools or to study inclusively in regular educational institutions.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stressed during a visit to the Potiyivka special boarding school as part of a working trip to Zhytomyr region on September 15. The Minister of Social Policy Maryna Lazebna, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Building, Local Governance, Regional and Urban Development Andrii Klochko, Chairman of the State Agency of Forest Resources Vasyl Kuziovych, Head of Zhytomyr Regional State Administration Vitalii Bunechko also got familiarized with the operation of the institution.

Denys Shmyhal reminded that the Government further pursues reform of the system of institutional care and introduction of inclusive education. The main goal of these reforms is to create conditions for disabled children to live in families and to study in regular schools.

"What kind of education should be for children with disabilities is being discussed. In my opinion, reforms should give parents and children a choice. Children should be given the opportunity to study in specialized schools or to study inclusively in regular schools," the Head of Government said.

According to the Prime Minister, Potiyivka Special Boarding School is the only institution in the region that ensures the rights of children with musculoskeletal disorders to secondary education: “Among its graduates are world champions and Paralympic winners, which proves the importance of preserving such institutions on a par with institutions providing inclusive education".

Background

As of September 1, 2020, there are 1282 children being educated in boarding schools of Zhytomyr region, among them - 569 are enrolled only in education and live with their families.