Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Tetova, in cooperation with the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation of the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, in the premises of our University organized a round table on topic: “Inclusion of students with autism spectrum”. The purpose of this roundtable was to present the achievements so far in the treatment, education and challenges faced by children themselves, parents, but also educators of special education and rehabilitation.
On behalf of the University of Tetova to the participants in this roundtable, the Vice-Rector for Education of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, who said that such events promote our understanding and humanity, raise awareness of the general public about the rights that should be enjoyed by these people with different needs, as well as their integration in all areas of life, such as in the social, educational, economic and cultural spheres. “This readiness is proven by the organization of such scientific debates, the increase of financial commitments, the spread of networks of various institutions for people with different abilities, as well as the engagement of staff in the field of education and rehabilitation. Until today, have been adopted many international conventions, resolutions, declarations and other documents on human rights and the rights of persons with disabilities, which have been accepted and implemented by the Republic of North Macedonia. The causes of this condition are various, ranging from lack of information, social and cultural level, as well as resistance to this treatment. But the main reason has been the lack of professional staff of educators for special education of this category. I appreciate that our University in relation to this issue has performed its task, preparing genuine staff through the study program for Special Education and Rehabilitation, staff who make a valuable contribution to the educational process, health protection and the process of rehabilitation of persons with different abilities”- said the Vice Rector for Education, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
The roundtable dedicated to the Inclusion of students with autism spectrum was honored by the Minister of Education and Science, Jeton Shaqiri. He, in his speech, referring to the topic of this roundtable said that, in the school year 2021/22, in primary schools are included a total of 911 students with special educational needs and in secondary schools are included a total of 312 students with special educational needs. Based on these figures, the number of assistants will increase, if the need for them will increase, i.e. if other parents of students in this category declare that they want to hire assistants for their child. “It should be noted that resource center primary schools will continue to contribute to the process of educating students with complex needs. In the meantime, professional services will be continuously strengthened and additional pedagogues, psychologists and defectologists will be engaged in those schools where there are not, or have not been in sufficient and proportionate number, according to the number of students who need professional support. In accordance with the new Concept for primary education, textbooks for grades I and IV have been adapted to the needs of students with disabilities, i.e. they have been printed in the Braj alphabet, they have also been adapted to the audio format, and has been created an audio reader that can read teaching materials in Macedonian and Albanian language. This process will continue even further, respectively textbooks will be available in different formats for other classes in primary education, while we will also provide assistive technologies and teaching aids for students with disabilities. In this school year, primary schools with resource center have been allocated funds in the amount of 2,500,000 denars for the supply of equipment and teaching aids in order to support inclusive education. We will continue to support and develop primary schools with resource centers and special attention will be paid to the training of teaching staff to work with students with disabilities, while in the meantime the investment in access to infrastructure facilities is intensified, respectively one of the conditions for the approval of funds by the Ministry of Education and Science for the implementation of investment projects of municipalities and schools, while the same to provide access for people with disabilities to the facility to which they refer”, said the Minister of Education and Science, Jeton Shaqiri.
Dean of the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Lulzim Mehmedi said that after the accreditation of the study program of Special Education and Rehabilitation, in 2012, today we see successes and achievements in the army of educators and special rehabilitators, who contribute to the treatment of children with special educational needs in primary schools, and secondary schools, in state and private institutions, as well as in various non-governmental organizations, the founders of which are precisely our former students. “Our students in this regard, get positive internship experiences not only in our country, but also in eminent institutions in Kosovo and Turkey. Seeing the positive results in this regard, from the academic year 2021/22, within the second cycle of studies, we have enrolled students in three study programs Inclusive Education, Autism and Logopedy, programs that enable the strengthening of research capacity for be professionally trained and stable competitors in the labor market. Undoubtedly, in the future our goal will be the continuation of the accreditation of these study programs, even in the third cycle of studies. In order to achieve these objectives, in the study program of Special Education and Rehabilitation we are constantly looking for the highest quality completion of academic staff and increasing responsibility at work “, said Prof. Dr. Lulzim Mehmedi.
Afterwards, their evaluations on this topic were given by the expert panelists in this field. The panel was led by the Vice Dean for Science of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Prof. Dr. Buniamin Memedi, Doc. Dr. Jasmina Troshanska, Professor at the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at UT, Prof. Dr. Natasha Stanojkovska, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, Prof. Dr. Naser Durmishi, specialist at the Center for assessment of children with Autism at the Psychiatric Hospital, Goran Petrushev, President of the Association of Special Educators and Rehabilitators, and Drita Ademi, second cycle student of Special Education and Rehabilitation – ABA – therapist of children with autism. At the end of this roundtable, the Vice-Dean for Science of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Prof. Dr. Buniamin Memedi also revealed the conclusions drawn from this roundtable.
The panelists appealed to give importance to the 7 points, namely: Have greater cares for early intervention in order to involve students with autism spectrum; to open the register for identification of persons with special educational needs and with autism spectrum; Professional development of teachers for the needs of children with autism spectrum and preparation of individual education plan; Greater empowerment care of young people with autism spectrum disorder; Continuation of cooperation with the Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation in Skopje, in organizing conferences, debates and projects in the field of autism spectrum; Opening of centers for support of children, young people with autism spectrum disorder; Educate students on the application of methods for working with autism spectrum disorder.
