Equality for all! Special needs children will be integrated into families and taught at ordinary schools
Special needs children will not be found anymore at boarding schools in five years tops. They will be integrated in families and will be taught in ordinary schools, along with other children. Ministry of Health and Labor has already elaborated a plan of actions for this aim, the only thing left is expenses approval.
"We wish for those persons to find themselves in community services, to find their places in families and their societies in 4-5 years" Minister of Health, Labor and Social Welfare, Stela Grigoraş said.
Official data shows that at the moment, specialized institutions from the country hosts over 1 500 adults and 476 children with disabilities.
Nicoleta is 8-year-old and she suffers from Down syndrome. Along with other special needs children, the little girl attends a Center for Inclusive Education in Ialoveni town.
"My child feels at home here. It is the most important thing. I can see her happy face, how she goes there with pleasure. She is also doing all activities with great interest" the child's mother mentioned.
Center for Inclusive Education is a branch of "Petre Ştefănucă" Lyceum and was established in 2016. At the moment it's attended by 26 disabled children. Based on their needs, they can see a psychologist, speech therapist and physiotherapist.
"There are children with social needs, they will one day grow up and must be included in society, therefore they must be seen, accepted and individualized" Psychologist Diana Meleca declared.
"There are different categories with special educational requirements. There are those with neuromotor disability, or learning disabilities from unfavorable environment" center's coordinator Valentina Galescu explained.
At the moment, in schools from Moldova are taught around 10 thousand special needs children.