On 13 December 2023, a workshop on fostering inclusive education practice in schools took place in the Korçë, Albania. It was organised within the Inclusive Education Ambassador Initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe Joint Project Inclusive Schools: Making a Difference for Roma Children (INSCHOOL).

The workshop aimed to demonstrate the different methods and approaches that teachers and education practitioners can employ for enabling quality inclusive education of all children, including the Roma. Importantly, the workshop aims to underline the importance of being guided by values of equality, respect and equity for an impactful change. Over 20 participants present had the opportunity to listen to the stories shared by Roma pupils from segregated schools about their personal experience and hardships they encountered due to their belonging to Roma minority. Some positive developments were also shared by the various school representatives from the region, such as bussing to schools as part of desegregation efforts, parent engagement and improvements to the school infrastructure and the general environment.

 Just because you bring some Roma children to mainstream school, this does not mean that it is inclusion  

Mark Penfold, INSCHOOL Inclusive Education Ambassador

 

The event comes as a part of the response to the recent European Court of Human Rights judgement related to educational segregation of Roma and efforts to assist the local and regional authorities in Korçë. It is being organised and led by two International Inclusive Education Ambassadors selected by the INSCHOOL Project: Manjola Veizi and Mark Penfold. The initiative supports the persons who have either personal or professional experience in quality inclusive education field and would like to share their learnings and expertise with the wider audience to inspire educational policy or practice adoption or adaptation.

The second day of the workshop aims to identify specific needs of school Principals and Teachers to become more inclusive and effective in reducing school dropouts and absenteeism but also to enable desegregation in schools in Korçë Municipality.