A public forum initiated by the “Lusastgh” NGO, “Who to turn to when the System is silent?” was held in Vanadzor.
The event was organized within the framework of the sub-grant supported by the “Budgets for Citizens” program and aimed at highlighting the lack of response and civil control tools in the field of inclusive education. Teachers from schools in Lori, Shirak and Tavush marzes, specialists from Territorial Center Psychological Support (TCPS) and Republican Pedagogical Psychological Center (RPPC), parents, specialists and representatives of non-governmental organizations participated in the forum.
The broad involvement of participants provided an opportunity to discuss the issue from various perspectives: from politics to the everyday routine of the school.
The forum began with a screening of documentary stories in which parents and teachers presented real-life situations where the education system is not responsive to the needs of children. Furtehr, in an open discussion format, the participants discussed why this silence is formed and how it can be overcome.
An important part of the forum was a group work on the topic “What should a response tool be like?”
Participants discussed possible options for organizing the response process, accountability, and transparency, presenting specific proposals that are planned to be included in the political message being developed.
A number of practical proposals were formulated during the forum. The most important of which were: the creation of a unified electronic platform for registering complaints and observations, the establishment of clear response deadlines and responsible bodies, ensuring notification of applicants at each stage, the inclusion of parents and NGO representatives in response monitoring committees, the publication of summary reports on responses, and ensuring transparency.
The voice of society regarding public policy
Ms Ani Gabrielyan, President of the “Lusastgh” NGO noted that the forum is the next step within the framework of the “Universal Inclusion 2: From Budget to Policy” project, which the organization is currently implementing.
“We have seen that, there is not a lack of resources in the field of inclusive education, there is a lack of feedback mechanisms. Our objective is simple: to create a tool that will ensure that the voices of children, parents, and professionals reach the ministry.”
The proposals made during the forum and results of the discussions will be included in the final version of the political message, which will be presented to the MoESCS of the Republic of Armenia as a proposal for the development of a civil control and response tool.
The participants agreed that the inclusive education cannot be real without a listening/responsive system. The forum was summarized with the following idea:
“In addition to teaching the System should listen as well. When the System listens, children exercise their right to education.”
This publication has been developed with the financial support of the European Union, within the framework of a sub-grant provided under the “Budgets for Citizens” project implemented by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, in cooperation with partners “Economic Development and Research Center” (EDRC) NGO and “Agora Central Europe” NGO (Czech Republic). It has been implemented by “Lusastgh” NGO within the framework of the “Universal Inclusion 2: From Budget to Policy” project. The “Lusastgh” NGO is responsible for the content, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
