Inclusive Education In Russia Case Study

1070 Words3 Pages

Introduction

The issue connected with the coeducation of children with special educational needs and children without health problems has acquired more and more attention in the last few years and got the name Inclusive Education. It is recognized by the world community as the most humane and efficient system as it gives the right for education irrespective to intellectual or physical abilities (Valeeva, 2015).
My personal interest in Inclusion lies within the educational context of Russia. In 2008 Russia signed the UN Convention “On the Rights of Persons with disabilities” where “Inclusion is seen as an addressing and responding to the diversity of needs of all learners through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities …show more content…

Inclusion Europe board member, Roza D. (2015) claims that there is a systematic implementation of the best practices of Inclusive education in Russia though it might be very slow or uneven; that Russian cities are becoming more accessible with the support of non governmental organizations(NGOs) and local and federal funding; that people with disabilities are becoming more visible, more socially active and engaged. Valeeva L. (2015) goes even further saying that Russia is successfully moving towards integrative and inclusive practices. However, I would argue that the adaptation of the environment, improving teaching resources and ideological transition run smoothly and in the right direction. My personal opinion is supported by numerous reports and investigations of international and Russian academics and experts such as Human Rights Watch (Left out? Obstacles to Education for people with disabilities in Russia, 2015), Alehina S. (Trends toward the integration and Inclusion of students with disabilities in Russia, 2012), Malofeev N.N., Shmatko N.D. (Integration and special educational institutions, 2008), Logomag S. (Inclusive and special education, Barriers and risks of development, 2012). Furthermore, I find important to underline the role of cultural and historical background of Russia in terms of special education and people with …show more content…

(2012) and Borodkina O. (2014) which give a clear idea of the sequence of events and continuity of special education and defectology practices that led to Russian modern system of Inclusive education. In the 19th century, Russian special educators learning from leading European countries, started to gain their own experience. In the early 20th century Russia was forcefully separated form the rest of the world by the Bolshevik Revolution, the Civil War and the repressive Communist regime, Russian special education was put into isolation due to the ideology that emphasized the collective over the individual and glorified conformity, health and strength. Russia fell behind the research during this period. While the whole world was discussing integrated education of children with health problems, Russian teachers practiced isolated education for students with special educational needs, the medical model of learning prevailed (Kirillova,

Open Document