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Rural Inclusive Education Program (RIEP) PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 04 April 2007
International Medical Corps
imclogoInternational Medical Corps (IMC) has completed the implementation of The Rural Inclusive Education Program (RIEP Program), a project funded by BTC/SCP partners and The Open Society Institute – Budapest (OSI) to address an undeniable need for inclusive education services in rural areas.

The main goal of the project is to introduce a pilot framework for sustainable inclusive education programs in rural areas as an alternative to institutional care for children with developmental disabilities. This will be accomplished through the elaboration of a broad range of guidelines and policy recommendations that will ensure that stakeholders such as the Ministry Of Education, Parliament, and Cabinet of Ministers have the ability to make informed decisions on how to develop their own national inclusive education program.
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The RIEP program will integrate 24 children with special needs into classes at three mainstream kindergartens and three mainstream primary schools in the Yevlakh district of Azerbaijan. A key component of the program is raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with children with disabilities. Past evidence suggests that children with disabilities tend to experience more social isolation and challenges with social integration than their peers. The intent behind this program is to develop and test a working model to innovatively address the issue of inclusive education. The results and lessons learned from this program will serve as the basis for possible ongoing programs that can be easily replicated in different areas along the BTC/SCP Pipeline.

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The aim of the Rural Inclusive Education Program (RIEP) Cycle II is to continue introducing a pilot framework for sustainable inclusive education programs in rural areas as an alternative to institutional care for children with developmental disabilities. This will be accomplished through the elaboration of a broad range of guidelines and policy recommendations that will ensure that stakeholders such as the Ministry Of Education, Parliament, and Cabinet of Ministers have the ability to make informed decisions on how to develop their own national inclusive education program.
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RIEP Cycle II was initiated on August 7, 2006. International Medical Corps (IMC) has collaborated with its implementing partner, the Center for Innovations in Education (CIE), to conduct the following activities:
  • Presentation and coordination meetings with Yevlakh Education Department, school principals, teachers, parents, and local authorities
  • Selection of 12 new children that require special education to be included in 2006-2007 school year
  • Evaluation of 24 children involved in Cycle I of RIEP
  • Selection of 12 new teachers and teacher assistants for schools and kindergartens
  • Identified “Children Healthy Future” NGO to be a new implementing partner to support the development of Children’s Development Center (CDC)
  • Identified a consultant to design educational manuals and accompanying workshops on early intervention and development delay
  • Identification and selection of local Individual Education Plan (IEP) and parent coordinator assistants
  • Monthly meetings with Individual Education Plan (IEP) team
  • External Evaluation
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CAG and Peer education session on STI/HIV/AIDS and Alcohol /Drug Abuse in Kurdamir
RIEP Cycle II has the following five main objectives:
  1. Integrate at least 34 children with special needs into classes at three mainstream kindergartens and three mainstream primary schools in Yevlakh.
  2. Improve the skills of the district medical and education staff to assess early childhood development and evaluate progress.
  3. Use the Ministry of Education for guidance and use in the national inclusive education plan.
  4. Establish special services and other support services for children with special needs and training for their family members.
  5. Provide educational outreach and training to parents, teachers, school staff, and government on different topic areas relating to inclusive education, such as national policies on inclusive education, school improvement, early intervention, and advocacy.
To get an update on the programme please refer to the “Latest News” Section.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 April 2007 )
 
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