ANNOUNCEMENT: Learning Compass – teacher training for work with children with disabilities

28. 8. 2019 | Learning compass, PR, Youth

Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language. 

Centre for European Perspective is together with Center for Communication, Hearing and Speech, Portorož, Institute for Promotion of Education from Kosovo and ALB – AID Kukes, Albania, organizing a three day training titled “Learning Compass – teacher training for work with children with disabilities”. The training will start with an INFO Day in Prishtina on 4^th of September 2019, where an informative session for stakeholders will be held. On 5^th of August 2019 participants from Kosovo and Albania will gather in Durresh, Albania, where three Slovenian experts will be holding lectures and interactive workshops on teacher training for work with children with disabilities.

Short info about the project:

In the countries of the Western Balkans, the knowledge of experts and especially teachers for children with special needs (also considering ways of pedagogical work with them) is still very lacking. On the other hand, Slovenia has a great deal of knowledge and practical experience in this field. The similarity of school systems, the historical and geographical connection and the linguistic proximity of most Western Balkan countries facilitates the transfer of knowledge and experience from Slovenia to other countries involved in the proposed project. The project will provide Slovenian knowledge and experience in the field of education and assistance to children with special needs in the Western Balkan countries.

The project that will be implemented in two years and will take place in four countries shall:

• Contribute to improving the situation of children with special needs in primary education;
• Contribute to the development of the school systems of the countries involved;
• Strengthen links and cooperation between teaching staff and educational institutions (involved in the project) of the Western Balkan countries and contributed to the peaceful coexistence in the region.

The project will educate 20 experts in each country (special educators, educators, school counselors) from the countries involved:

• to work with children with disabilities within school systems;
• to disseminate basic knowledge about children with special needs among primary school teachers;
• to implement acquired knowledge of helping professionals with special needs work and to educate primary school teachers about the needs and approaches of children with disabilities.

Initially, the project has established cooperation between the Center for the European Perspective, Slovenian experts working with children with special needs, local decision-makers (competent ministries and school leaders) and local actors working in the field in the target countries. All stakeholders will be involved in preparing an analysis of the current state of inclusiveness of school institutions and working with children with special needs. The analysis of the situation will show where the greatest needs for the transfer of Slovenian good practices are. Content for 3-day workshops will be prepared with participants from four countries (Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina). The 3-day workshops will receive 20 teachers from each country through active lectures and workshops. Two teachers from each country will be further tasked with preparing the so-called Train the Trainer (ToT) workshops, which they will jointly conduct at their school for at least 10 additional teachers. As a result, 40 one-day workshops will be organized to train at least 400 additional teachers.

The first activity of the project will be conducted in Durres, Albania, between 5th and 8th September.

Within the framework of the project, a publication will also be prepared. The lather will analyze the situation in the target countries and, based on the workshops carried out an on the analysis of primary and secondary sources and Slovenian experience, present concrete proposals for improving the situation of working with children with special needs in primary schools.

Through meetings and regular briefing, the project will also involve decision makers (relevant state, federal, regional and / or local ministries of education and school leaders) who will be informed about the project and our activities.

The project is financed from the funds for international development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.