“Armenian Caritas” benevolent NGO launches the Program “Inclusive and equitable quality education for All”, targeting 7 schools and 7 kindergartens in Shirak Province. On December 14 the official presentation of the Program to the directors of targeted schools and kindergartens, as well as the Regional authorities, took place in the conference hall of Gyumri “Commercial Center”.

The Executive Director of “Armenian Caritas” Gagik Tarasyan congratulated everyone on being selected to be part of the Program and expressed hope that the cooperation would be long-lasting and productive.

Welcoming the Program, the deputy Head of the regional administration Sophia Hovsepyan mentioned, that such projects promote overall inclusion. In 2019, Shirak region will start implementation of the overall inclusion, and all the schools will become inclusive independent of their will. “This is a very important change in our educational system. Apart from the education, the inclusion is the elimination of restrictions for many people. Today we should change the way of thinking of our children. The first place of realization of inclusion in the school. We should teach the society not to hinder this process, but allow others to enjoy their right of education. We speak about the changes in the society where the role of schools and teachers is significant”, -Sophia Hovsepyan mentioned in her speech.

The Program Manager Anahit Gevorgyan presented the general provisions and objectives of the project, the Goal of which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all in Armenia.

The project should work in the following 4 dimensions: to strengthen the schools’ parent councils and promote their participation in supporting inclusive education, to strengthen organizations, supporting inclusive education (inclusive day care centers, regional pedagogical and psychological support centers), to form a positive attitude towards the people with disabilities and to enable schools and kindergartens to accept children with disabilities.

The project is implemented with the financial support of Caritas Germany.
At the end of the event, a four-sided Memorandum of Understanding was signed by “Armenian Caritas” benevolent NGO, National Association of school parent council members’ and the headmasters of targeted schools and kindergartens.