On 14 April, a focus group meeting was held to discuss the organisation of inclusive education in specialised secondary schools. Participants focused on identifying key questions to be raised for further discussion with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
The event, organised by the Polaris programme, brought together representatives from education authorities, inclusive resource centres and educational institutions. The focus was on the practical aspects of implementing inclusion, the challenges faced at hromadas level, and the search for solutions that can be scaled up nationally.
During the meeting, participants shared their experiences of organising inclusive education, discussed current practices and highlighted successful case studies. This format facilitated a professional dialogue between those directly implementing inclusion policies on the local level and those working on their development.
The Polaris programme was the platform for this dialogue – it coordinated the meeting, engaged the expert community and ensured a focus on practical outcomes. The issues raised will form the basis for further engagement with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine on improving approaches to inclusive education in specialised secondary schools.
“Inclusive education is not just about access, but about the quality of education for every child. Our task is to work with hromadas to develop practical solutions that work in real-world conditions and can be incorporated into national policy,” said Tetiana Ozerova, an education expert with the Polaris Programme.
Following the meeting, a networking event is planned for August, which will bring together representatives of hromadas and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. This will enable the proposals developed to be refined and the mechanisms for their implementation to be outlined.
The Polaris Programme will continue to support the development of an inclusive educational environment by facilitating the exchange of experience, strengthening hromadas capacity and shaping decisions that are focused on people’s needs.
