More Moldovan schools become accessible for disabled children

Chisinau, 29 January /MOLDPRES/ - Twenty schools from Moldova have become accessible to disabled children, due to a project implemented with the support of the Japanese government. The results of the programme were unveiled at a reporting event in Chisinau today.   

The pilot project, Integration of disabled children in general schools, is carried out with the support of a grant worth about 2.9 million dollars, provided by the government of Japan through the Policy and Human Resources Development Fund (PHRD), administered by the World Bank and managed by the Social Investment Fund of Moldova (FISM).    

Platforms were constructed, support bars were set, special doors, pavement, adapted sanitary units, water supply and sewerage systems, electric, ventilation, heating systems, roofs were installed. Classroom boards were illuminated, elevators were purchased. Resource centres for children with special education requirements, which includes rooms for physiotherapy, psychologist and speech therapists, were created and arranged in schools.     

According to Ambassador of Japan to Moldova Masanobu Yoshii, his country observed the commitment to assist Moldova for the development of a sustainable, stable society and for improving the citizens’ living standards. “Just like Moldova, Japan is not rich with natural resources; therefore, for us, the most important resources are the human ones. This means not only the turning to account of the potential of the children from general schools, but also of children with disabilities, who must be assisted for integration into the society,” the Japanese diplomat said.  

“The project is an important step for the promotion of the inclusion of children with special needs and disabilities and 20 schools have already received support to this end. These schools give an example that the social inclusion is possible and show us how this works. The World Bank will continue backing Moldova, in order to extend the number of schools which will create infrastructure and capacities to facilitate the inclusion,” WB Country Manager for Moldova Anna Akhalkatsi said.    

According to the State Secretary at the Education, Culture and Research Ministry Igor Sarov, the government ended the negotiations and is going to sign an agreement with the World Bank on the earmarking of ten million dollars for schools from Moldova, in which special attention will be paid to the development of the inclusive education.  

The goal of the project, Integration of disabled children in general schools, is to contribute to the carrying out of the national programme on development of inclusive education in Moldova for 2011-2020. As many as 9,056 pupils study at those 20 schools benefitting from the project, of whom 413 ones with disabilities and special education needs.    

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor L. Alcaza)