Educators and medics in Vitebsk region seek a special approach for special children
To feel like an equal and valuable part of society, to realize one's plans and dreams – these are the opportunities that integrated education opens up for children with psychophysical developmental disabilities. The organization of this process, the study of the accumulated experience in this field, and the solution of related problems were discussed at a recent republican scientific and practical seminar held in Vitebsk.
To feel like an equal and valuable part of society, to realize one's plans and dreams – these are the opportunities that integrated education opens up for children with psychophysical developmental disabilities. The organization of this process, the study of the accumulated experience in this field, and the solution of related problems were discussed at a recent republican scientific and practical seminar held in Vitebsk.
On the first day of the seminar, participants worked at Secondary School No. 46. A methodological exhibition "System of Special Education of the Vitebsk Region" was organized in the foyer. Of particular interest were the electronic manuals by defectologist K. Fedorova from the Novkino Children's Development Center and the electronic developmental workshop "The World of Fairy Tales" by educators T. Laskova and I. Gruzdova from Koptyanskaya Secondary School of the Vitebsk District.
Opening the seminar, Antonina Zmushko, Head of the Department of Special Education of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, noted that to implement the idea of integrated education, it is necessary to create conditions in schools that will provide each student with an educational level corresponding to their potential capabilities. Therefore, the task of specialists involved in integrated education is to ensure a barrier-free, developmental, and personality-oriented educational environment for all students.
In the Vitebsk region, the education of such children is given due attention. And constant care is taken to create a safe and psychologically comfortable environment for them. For example, Secondary School No. 46 educates children with musculoskeletal disorders, and Kindergarten No. 96 educates children with visual impairments. A resource center for this category has been established on the basis of a special general education boarding school for children with hearing impairments.
For children who, for medical reasons, are temporarily or permanently unable tovisiting school, there is home-based education – with this method, 178 students and 24 preschool children receive education in the region.
According to Vasily Gorbal, Head of the General Education Department of the Education Administration of the Regional Executive Committee, 754 classes of integrated education and upbringing operate in 267 general secondary education institutions, with 1129 students enrolled, including 385 in the second stage of general secondary education. And the work on opening such classes continues, as education in them is very effective and significantly saves state costs. In the current academic year, 76 such classes have been opened in the region (57 in the previous year).
Perhaps one of the main goals of working with "special" children is their further socialization and adaptation to "adult," independent life. The system of work on vocational guidance, labor and vocational training, and employment of graduates with psychophysical development disabilities, which has been established in the Vitebsk region, allows them to obtain a profession that is accessible given their health status and in demand in the labor market.
In the last academic year, educational institutions graduated 195 students with psychophysical development disabilities, of whom 123 entered vocational-technical schools, 7 entered secondary specialized educational institutions, 1 is studying in courses at the employment center, two continued their studies in the 10th grade, and 27 are employed. 11 special groups for individuals with intellectual disabilities operate on the basis of 10 vocational-technical educational institutions in the region. All graduates are provided with their first job.
Children with psychophysical development disabilities are covered by special education and correctional assistance at 98.8 percent (in rural areas – at 95.1%).
Resource educational institutions are being created in the region to organize integrated education and upbringing. Today, these include 41 general secondary schools and 34 preschool institutions.
The leitmotif of the participants' speeches at the seminar was the need for further improvement of the educational environment that compensates each child for their developmental delays. After all, the inclusion of children with psychophysical development disabilities in active joint activitiesThe inclusion of a "special" child with healthy peers also implies special adaptation of the child and a change in attitude towards them in the social environment.
Elena Bolshakova, "NS"
On the first day of the seminar, participants worked at Secondary School No. 46. A methodological exhibition "System of Special Education of the Vitebsk Region" was organized in the foyer. Of particular interest were the electronic manuals by defectologist K. Fedorova from the Novkino Children's Development Center and the electronic developmental workshop "The World of Fairy Tales" by educators T. Laskova and I. Gruzdova from Koptyanskaya Secondary School of the Vitebsk District.
Opening the seminar, Antonina Zmushko, Head of the Department of Special Education of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, noted that to implement the idea of integrated education, it is necessary to create conditions in schools that will provide each student with an educational level corresponding to their potential capabilities. Therefore, the task of specialists involved in integrated education is to ensure a barrier-free, developmental, and personality-oriented educational environment for all students.
In the Vitebsk region, the education of such children is given due attention. And constant care is taken to create a safe and psychologically comfortable environment for them. For example, Secondary School No. 46 educates children with musculoskeletal disorders, and Kindergarten No. 96 educates children with visual impairments. A resource center for this category has been established on the basis of a special general education boarding school for children with hearing impairments.
For children who, for medical reasons, are temporarily or permanently unable tovisiting school, there is home-based education – with this method, 178 students and 24 preschool children receive education in the region.
According to Vasily Gorbal, Head of the General Education Department of the Education Administration of the Regional Executive Committee, 754 classes of integrated education and upbringing operate in 267 general secondary education institutions, with 1129 students enrolled, including 385 in the second stage of general secondary education. And the work on opening such classes continues, as education in them is very effective and significantly saves state costs. In the current academic year, 76 such classes have been opened in the region (57 in the previous year).
Perhaps one of the main goals of working with "special" children is their further socialization and adaptation to "adult," independent life. The system of work on vocational guidance, labor and vocational training, and employment of graduates with psychophysical development disabilities, which has been established in the Vitebsk region, allows them to obtain a profession that is accessible given their health status and in demand in the labor market.
In the last academic year, educational institutions graduated 195 students with psychophysical development disabilities, of whom 123 entered vocational-technical schools, 7 entered secondary specialized educational institutions, 1 is studying in courses at the employment center, two continued their studies in the 10th grade, and 27 are employed. 11 special groups for individuals with intellectual disabilities operate on the basis of 10 vocational-technical educational institutions in the region. All graduates are provided with their first job.
Children with psychophysical development disabilities are covered by special education and correctional assistance at 98.8 percent (in rural areas – at 95.1%).
Resource educational institutions are being created in the region to organize integrated education and upbringing. Today, these include 41 general secondary schools and 34 preschool institutions.
The leitmotif of the participants' speeches at the seminar was the need for further improvement of the educational environment that compensates each child for their developmental delays. After all, the inclusion of children with psychophysical development disabilities in active joint activitiesThe inclusion of a "special" child with healthy peers also implies special adaptation of the child and a change in attitude towards them in the social environment.
Elena Bolshakova, "NS"