More than 25,000 pupils in Ukraine study in inclusive classes – education minister

More than 25,000 pupils have begun to study in inclusive classes across Ukraine in the 2020/2021 school year.

The press service of the Education and Science Ministry cited Education Minister Serhiy Shkarlet as saying, Ukrinform reports.

"Since the beginning of 2020/2021 school year, 25,078 pupils have been studying in inclusive classes. This number is almost 10 times higher than five years ago. A total of 18,687 inclusive classes have been created in schools. This school year, almost 43% of the total number of schools organized inclusive education. That is, almost every second school in Ukraine teaches children with special educational needs. Of course, this figure should reach 100%, and we are moving in this direction,” Shkarlet said.

According to him, a network of inclusive resource centers has been established to conduct a comprehensive psychological and pedagogical assessment of a child's development and provide educational assistance to children with special educational needs. Ukraine is planning to create 635 such inclusive resource centers at the beginning of 2021.

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