On the threshold of the realisation of the new Global strategy of partnership in interests of children of younger age in September, UNESCO has published two reports: « Right from the start: build inclusive societies through inclusive early childhood education» and « Inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education: From Commitment to Action! » In them the call to the governments contains to make preschool education accessible to all according to the obligation of the countries fixed in Goal of 4 sustainable developments (SDGs) the United Nations, namely to provide access to qualitative systems of development. According to the Organization, now only 28 % of the countries of the world have made preschool education obligatory.
The special accent in reports was made on inclusiveness of education. UNESCO urges the countries to eliminate obstacles in a way to integration, such as inefficient or inconsistent laws and politics, absence of preparation of teachers, non-inclusiveness of curriculums, absence of the data about the persons excluded from education system, absence of political will and unbalanced financing. Issues of inclusiveness in education and upbringing of children of younger age should dare on the basis of the intersectoral policy considering variety of pupils.
According to Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, maintenance of general access to education at an early stage is a basis for integration into process of training throughout all life. Numerous advantages to children receiving qualitative preschool education pass from father to son and have positive influence on society as a whole. That children could open completely the potential, it is necessary to promote it from the earliest age.
In Turkmenistan to education and upbringing of children of preschool age particular attention is given. Within the accepted national programs modern kindergartens in which children together with elementary bases of knowledge have physical and creative development everywhere are under construction. In the new edition of the Law of Turkmenistan accepted in this year «On education» compulsion of the general secondary education and preparation of children of preschool age for school is fixed as one of state policy principles in the sphere of education.
In article 4 on the state guarantees of the rights of citizens of Turkmenistan in the sphere of education there is a special point that «the state creates to citizens of Turkmenistan with the limited possibilities of health, that is having lacks in physical and (or) mental development, conditions for reception of education by them in educational institutions of general type (inclusive education). For citizens of Turkmenistan who due to the state of their health cannot visit educational institutions of general type, special educational institutions for reception of education on the basis of special pedagogical approaches, correction of infringements of development and social adaptation» are created.
In the educational policy Turkmenistan closely co-operates with the country office of UNICEF which assists the Government in maintenance with services preschool and elementary education of all children of the country. According to the information on its site, coverage by elementary education in Turkmenistan is high and makes up 97 %, and indicators of continuation and completion of training are equally high among boys and girls. UNICEF helps the Government to reach the international standards of quality education, and also to carry out effective policy in the sphere of education, to develop potential of teachers and experts of preschool centres and to integrate children with physical inability into usual education and training.
Together with UNICEF and other specialised agencies of the United Nations the Government of Turkmenistan developed the National Strategy for Early Childhood Development, accepted on December 6, 2019. And in May, past year the “Program for improving the activities of preschool institutions in the field of early development and improving the preparation of a child for school in Turkmenistan for 2020-2025” and the Plan of its realisation which provide principle introduction of inclusive education was confirmed. Issues of further perfection of activity of preschool educational institutions are reflected in the new country Program of UNICEF for Turkmenistan for 2021-2025.
Ogulgozel Rejepova
