Inclusive education

The Czech educational system continues to be defined by a situation in which children are tracked into various types of schools and classrooms at an early age – a selection process that significantly predetermines their future educational and professional life. This system is especially discriminatory towards pupils from other ethnic groups and from socially disadvantaged families, as well as handicapped pupils. Many of the children end up being placed in schools with a limited curriculum, meaning that will be unable to find employment later in life. Roma children, for instance, are disproportionately placed in "special schools." In 2007, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed, in the case of D.H. and Others vs. Czech Republic, that this practice is discriminatory. Another criticized but prevailing practice in the Czech Republic is the removal of children from at-risk families and their placement in institutional care instead of the provision of aid and support for these families.

OSF promotes the transformation of the Czech educational system and considers the concept of inclusive education to be the most suitable tool. Inclusive education involves the integration of disadvantaged or handicapped children into the educational mainstream. Inclusive education takes place in heterogeneous groups in which children are considered equals and where they learn tolerance for differences. At the same time, schools and teachers deal with each child's individual needs. Inclusive education offers benefits both for disadvantaged groups as well as for the other children.

OSF supports non-governmental organizations that promote the principles of inclusive education in the Czech educational system. In 2010, for instance, the foundation sponsored an Amnesty International analysis of the role of the country's administrative regions in the desegregation of Czech schools. It also sponsored the "Education Against Social Exclusion" informational campaign by IQ Roma Servis. OSF also provided funding for People in Need in order to create a qualitative analysis of the SON-R test, a diagnostic tool used by advisory centers. The analysis discovered several critical areas in the testing of children when they enter primary school.

OSF is a member of the "Together to School" coalition, which has been a long-term supporter of implementing the D.H. and Others vs. Czech Republic decision. The coalition's goal is to contribute to the desegregation of the Czech educational system and the implementation of the principle of equal opportunity for all children (regardless of color of skin, origin, or social status) – goals to which the Czech Republic is bound by the aforementioned court decision and by international treaties. OSF also supports the Czech Expert Society for Inclusive Education and participates in discussing inclusive education with non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies. The foundation is also involved in the creation of documents presented to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child, and other institutions.

 

Contact person:

Filip Rameš

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