Socialization and adaptation of the youngest citizens of our country with tough destiny is one of the priority tasks Belarusian society faces today. When youngsters suffer ill health from birth or during a lifetime it is impossible to tackle the problem on your own. That is why every year more specialists from different areas help parents and kids for the kids to live and study on equal basis with others.

Today was the day for all interested parties in implementation of the inclusive principle for kids to gather for a republican work-shop in order to discuss the most effective work in this direction for future. This important work-shop took place in the Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after. M. Tank and was attended by leading representatives of the spheres of education, healthcare, and social protection. The parties analyzed in detail the current activities of rehabilitation and training centers in the context of implementing the principle of inclusion. Particular attention is paid to improving the work of the psychological, medical and pedagogical commissions of the Rehabilitation and Training Center. Participants examined in more detail the issue of timely identification of characteristics of psychophysical development in children and providing them with comprehensive assistance at an early stage.

Minister of education noted that currently the interdepartmental cooperation has many successful practices. Andrei Ivanets drew attention to the work of the Early Intervention Centers. These departments aim to help kids aged under 3 years if they have risks or developmental problems. In a few years the number of centers has doubled. Currently there are more than 50 of them. It was possible thanks to the Ministry of Health. Less than one month ago a new such center began to provide facilities in Orsha in a kid’s clinic. And it is not a single case in our country.

We are trying to create a barrier free environment and employ a skilled stuff able to find a way to every child with a complex diagnosis.

The parties believe the seminar to be a marvelous opportunity to share experience, rope in new allies and work out new joint plans on inter-regional cooperation. When the floor was passed to the head of the Gomel Rehabilitation and Training Center Tatsiana Usova, she told us that these centers are multifunctional departments that combine eight areas of activity. They also coordinate special education. Our foreign colleagues show interest in our experience and ready to implement it in their countries. “Despite similar structures each center has its own peculiarity and experience and ready to realize them in the country” – added Tatsiana Usova.

With qualitative help and support from teachers RTC’s students can study in inclusive classes. This direction is developing quite intensively in the country. Then the guys can continue their education. In Minsk alone, 6 colleges are open for them. Moreover, over 1,000 students with special educational needs receive higher education in the country. The numbers of admissions to an expanded list of specialties are increasing every year. There is a demand for such personnel, since during employment they demonstrate a special approach to business, dedication and love of life.

The head of the educational department, Andrei Ivanets, in turn, rightly noted: “Today we aim to ensure that our education system primarily focuses not only on the problems that our children have, but also on their strengths that need to be developed, because they obviously have them.”

Solving the issues of inclusion in education provides complex and team support for those who need and this support enables them to feel useful for our society and do what they like and good at and just feel happy in family or in society. They will know they are important for parents and the state and that is why teachers took on this uneasy task. Come what may teachers stay together and believe the result may not be immediate but it will definitely live up to the expectations because diagnosis is not an obstacle at all! It is an opportunity for colossal plans for the future!