02 December 2015
02.12.2015, Skopje
ROUND TABLE ON CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN REGULAR PRIMARY EDUCATION
“Only one day separates us from the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December the 3rd. In honor of that day we organize this event as a commitment of our institution to raise public awareness about autism and create conditions for smooth realization of the right to education of children with autistic spectrum disorder in the Republic of Macedonia. We, as an institution support the initiative of the group of parents for a more serious approach and the need for raising awareness about the treatment of children with autism and respect of their needs, or the necessity of acceptance of these children and their inclusion in society. Today, we continue with the activities related to children with special needs and their rights, and we emphase the right to education of children with autism, about which we conducted a survey in the primary schools in the academic year 2014/2015, assessing the number of children with autistic spectrum disorder and the readiness of schools for quality and effective education of these children in the regular classes.”
This, among other was said in the welcoming speech of the Ombudsman, Mr. Ixhet Memeti at the opening of the round table on "Children with autism in regular primary education", which took place in the EU Info Centre in Skopje.
According to Memeti the stances of the Ombudsman office are clear, the children with autism should have the same rights as other children, enjoy rights on an equal basis, but because of the specificity of their needs, the society should create and provide for smooth exercise of these rights, including the right to education in inclusive schools and integrated environment with effective results.
“From the responses of 256 primary schools, the Ombudsman found that children with autistic spectrum disorders are included in regular elementary schools, but not every school is prepared to provide appropriate education for children with autism, as per their needs. The schools are not equipped with personnel, nor do they have material conditions i.e. necessary teaching aids / auxiliary materials. On the other hand the teachers are not (in some schools in particularly), trained to work with children with autistic spectrum disorder" said Deputy Ombudsman, Mrs. Vaska Bajramovska-Mustafa presenting the Special Information on the number of children with autistic spectrum disorder and the readiness of the primary schools for their inclusion and quality education".
“Given the importance of the inclusive education for all children, the Ombudsman recommended creation of basic preconditions not only for integration of children with autistic spectrum disorders, but also their quality and efficient inclusion in mainstream education. In this regard, measures should be taken for ensuring premises for work with children with autism in schools and for appropriate adjustment of the teaching material as per the needs of children with autism" said Bajramovska -Mustafa.
The round table is organized within the Twinning project "Promotion of the Ombudsman competences and enhancement of its capacities", implemented by the Ombudsman in cooperation with the Office of the Austrian Ombudsman Board and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights.