The Slovak authorities confirmed their support for the development of inclusive schools through the European Union and Council of Europe Joint Project “Inclusive schools: making a difference for Roma children” (INSCHOOL). On 25 April, the first meeting of the National Working Group on inclusive education took place in Bratislava. The National Working Group was established under the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport to discuss the systemic issues identified through the work with the schools and possible improvements. Existing tools and initiatives related to inclusive education were presented and discussed as well as the methodology to be used in the selected INSCHOOL schools. 

The EU/CoE Joint Project INSCHOOL promotes inclusive education policies and practices in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, the Slovak Republic and the United Kingdom. In each country, the Project has two levels of intervention. At the practice level, it works with a methodology based on the “Index for Inclusion” in a cluster of schools, focusing on the transfer of know-how from schools with proven inclusive education practices towards schools open to adopt an inclusive culture.  The participating schools will receive grants for the implementation of their Inclusive School Development Plans. At the policy level, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education, a National Working Group will look into the gaps and inconsistencies between the existing policies and practices in schools, and will provide assistance in addressing them. The Project, which started in May 2017, will also contribute to raise awareness on the benefits of inclusive education for the general public as well as decision makers.