Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to enhance – in line with the Beneficiaries' commitments to EU accession and Council of Europe standards*  – social inclusion and social cohesion in the region by promoting inclusive education and training.

In order to realize this objective, the project will promote the concept of inclusive education as a reform principle that respects and caters for diversity amongst all learners, with a specific focus on those who are at a higher risk of marginalisation and exclusion.

The overall objective will be achieved through the specific objective of promoting the concept of inclusive education, as well as relevant policies and practices in the formal education system at pre-university level in South East Europe in five specific areas:

*In particular the European Social Charter and the New Strategy and Council of Europe Action Plan for Social Cohesion (approved by the Committee of Ministers on 7 July 2010).

Click here to register to Inclusive Community of Practice inclusiveeducation.ning.com

Asset Publisher

Back

Challenges and issues for beneficiaries highlighted

The Serbian Policy Team have been working on identification of challenges and issues at a beneficiary level within the framework of regional gaps and challenges identified at the Conference in Tirana in November 2013. The team decided to concentrate on the cross-cutting issues, rather than assessing the situation based on education levels.

The presentation of the project and introduction to the Policy team was used as a team building exercise between the members, who all expressed great enthusiasm and willingness to participate.

At the meeting in Belgrade in early February, the interconnectedness of the challenges faced at all levels of education was highlighted. The team prepared a list of priorities in Serbia related to evidence-based policy development, initial and in-service teacher education, lack of support to teachers in inclusive classrooms and poor inter-sector cooperation, support to parents and social support to children in developing life skills.

The meeting was led by the Local Focal Point who will coordinate the activities and the CoE Project Officer for Serbia.

The members of the Team represent the key stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, (general education, VET, Department for Development of Education, Regional School Authorities), the Institute for Evaluation of Quality of Education, "SchoolNet" representative, the Social Inclusion Poverty Reduction Unit in the Government of Serbia, and NGOs.