Representative of the Ombudsman attended an event dedicated to inclusive education

Consultative meeting on Analysis of the inclusive education policy in Azerbaijan was held by the “Regional Development” Public Union of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of the project named “Improvement of the teachers’ skills in the field of inclusive education” implemented with the support of the European Union.

Mugalib Mahmudov, the adviser of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the rights of the persons with disabilities participated in this event that was also attended by the representatives of relevant state bodies, NGOs and international organizations, also foreign experts.

Methodology developed by international expert on the improvement of the legislation in the field of inclusive education was presented.

The representative of the Ombudsman delivered a speech noting the special importance of the right to education besides other rights set forth in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He gave information about the recent legal reforms on ensuring the education rights of the persons with disabilities freely, with no obstacles, equally, without any discrimination and the relevant activities carried out by the Commissioner Elmira Suleymanova who always keeps the focus on the protection of these persons’ rights.

It was pointed out that according to the Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted on 13 December, 2006 states parties recognize the right to education of persons with disabilities. Accordingly, State Parties shall ensure the inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning with the purpose of realizing this right without discrimination, also the persons with disabilities should not be excluded from education and could have access an inclusive, quality and free primary and secondary education on an equal basis with others.

It was noted that the situation with ensuring the right to education also has impact on the realization of other rights. So, staying away from education results in limitation of the rights like access to information, right to appeal, right to participate in political life of state, etc.

The representative shared his opinion with the participants of the meeting in regard of the obstacles and the ways of eliminating them related to the rehabilitation of these persons, increasing the opportunities of inclusive education, establishing new workplaces for ensuring their employment and integration to the society. He emphasized in the speech, the “State Program on inclusive education for the persons with disabilities in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018-2024”approved by the country President Mr. Ilham Aliyev will positively influence ensuring the right to education of the persons with disabilities equally accessible in all the education levels and establishing an environment having no obstacles for them.

The proposals by the Commissioner on implementing measures regarding creation of different profile social service institutions and rehabilitation centers, education institutions with inclusive components, allocation of sufficient financial and human resources for organizing inclusive education, preparing children with disabilities to inclusive education from earlier years, training of specialized pedagogues dealing with them and improving their professional skills

The event was concluded with the interactive discussions.