Training school teachers in Siberia, Russia
HealthProm continues its project in Siberia aimed at developing the professional capacity of Siberian teachers to deliver inclusive education for children with disabilities. Our work focuses on four large regions-- Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Altai and Tomsk. In 2017, we organised a series of teacher training programmes in Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and Altai responding to needs identified in a survey of teachers carried out earlier in the year.
Based on the results of this survey, we designed a series of focused training sessions for each region. These trainings were run by both Russian and international trainers from Moscow, St Petersburg, London, Sofia and Lisbon. Our trainings gave teachers an opportunity to learn from national and international experts about practical aspects of inclusive education through interactive learning, discussion of case studies and practical exercises. It was inspiring to see the reactions of teachers following each training— in post-training questionnaires many of the respondents reported positive changes in their understanding of inclusive education concepts and improvement in their knowledge and practical skills.
“As a teacher I think that skills on alternative communication with a child with special needs are vital for providing effective support to both children and their families. I have already shared the training materials with many colleagues at my school and will be using the new knowledge in my future work with students”. - Teacher from Barnaul school No 6, Altai region
We trained a total of 123 teachers across the regions last year. In addition, we also organised training for 118 child disability and social work specialists and 92 parents of children with disabilities. We believe that our approach working across sectors and bringing together schools, NGOs, parents and local Departments of Education will ensure that inclusion becomes embedded not only in schools but within wider society. Thus improving quality of life and access to opportunities for all children with disabilities.
