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Haigazian University, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the UNICEF Celebrate their partnership in the “Inclusive Education Programme”

Haigazian University, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the UNICEF Celebrate their partnership in the “Inclusive Education Programme”

Beirut, 19 February, 2020 – Haigazian University was designated for official consultancy for supporting the documentation and analysis of the “Inclusive Education Pilot Programme”, implemented by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), in close collaboration with the Center for Education Research and Development (CERD), with the support of UNICEF and the Government of Canada.

The “Inclusive Education Programme” aims at promoting the development of inclusive education in the Lebanese public schools, in addition to increasing the enrollment of learners with disabilities and learning difficulties. The program is already being piloted in 30 public schools across all governorates.

In its role as consultants of the project, Haigazian University will provide due documentation and scientific situational analysis on the structural components and dynamic processes of the project, considered of crucial importance to ensuring its success and sustainability.

The official launch of this mutual partnership between the MEHE, Haigazian University and the UNICEF, took place in the University’s Board Room, in the presence of a delegation from the MEHE, headed by its Director of the Counseling and Guidance Department, Mrs. Hilda El Khoury, and from the UNICEF, the Chief of Education, Mr. Peter Quamo and Education Specialist, Ms. Mary Poghosyan, in addition to University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, faculty and staff members.

The meeting started with the Chair of the Education Department, Dr. Hanine Hout giving an overview of the program, tackling its objectives, various components and the methodology of the work.

For his part, President Haidostian shared a number of  challenges and opportunities pertaining to the implementation of the inclusive program in the schools, specifically in regard to the nature and seriousness of partnerships, the future of the special needs students after graduation, and the issue of inclusion in higher learning establishments.

In his word, Quamo focused on the importance of adopting an inclusive school culture from the community, especially in matters pertaining to acceptance and tolerance. He also put significant importance on the role of the university in maintaining sustainability in the application of the program.

El Khoury shared the MEHE’s vision in expanding the “Inclusive Education Programme” to more schools in Lebanon, and stressed on the fundamental role Haigazian University will carry on in conducting base line and end line analysis, providing an ongoing documentation with a comprehensive methodology, and carefully compiling all the lessons learned throughout the whole process.

The meeting was concluded with an enriching discussion among the participants.

 

Mira Yardemian

Public Relations Director