Today at the University of Tetova was marked December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This event has now become traditional and very special for the students and professors of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation of the Faculty of Pedagogy of our University.
Through various activities in cooperation with the class for students with special needs of the students of the primary school “Liria” in Tetovo, they convey various messages to inform and sensitize the public in the country and the region about the existence and the manner of treatment of children with special needs.
Vice- Rector for Education, Prof. Dr. Reshat Qahili, said that our University has taken care to pay attention to this category of society that deserves the respect and treatment needed by all of us. “The marking of this date is intended to promote understanding, humanity and to raise public awareness of the rights that these people with special needs should also enjoy, as well as their integration into all areas of life, such as in the social, educational, economic and cultural spheres. As we all know, the interest in solving not only existential problems but also the essential problems of people with disabilities, all over the world begins to manifest in the second half of the last century and in this century. This willingness is evidenced by the organization of scientific debates, the increase of financial commitments, the dissemination of networks of different institutions for persons with disabilities, as well as the engagement of staff in the field of education and rehabilitation”, – said Prof. Dr. Reshat Qahili.
Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Prof. Dr. Fatbi Osmani said that the faculty that he leads, through the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation is in full support of persons who are different from us, and always in their full support and integration into society. “This category of individuals needs more awareness, more reason and needs to take steps to move further, needs to ascertain how the today’s school is prepared to face the challenges of educating people with special needs. The Faculty of Pedagogy, through the study program of Special Education and Rehabilitation, educates a genuine professional staff in dealing with all the specifics of persons with special needs. Over 70 students have graduated in this study program, who will practice their profession professionally and humanely”- said Prof. Dr. Fatbi Osmani.
In this event with occasion speech addressed the Vice- Dean for Science of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Prof. Dr. Buniamin Memedi. In his speech he referred to the importance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to him, the December 3, aims to promote understanding of the problems of barriers and to mobilize support for their dignity, rights and social welfare. “Creating a genuine staff that professionally deals with the treatment, institutionalization, integrative approach, diagnosis and rehabilitation of these persons, it has been and is one of the strong priorities of the Department and our University itself. With the new Law on primary education, that was brought earlier, we welcome the inclusion of inclusion as a legal category, which is a great achievement for students with special needs and their families, but without strongly emphasizing that special classes or resource centers should continue to exist and support, as is outlined in the law, where they would educate, treat and rehabilitate students with special needs, to whom our teachers do not have the training and the competence”, – Prof. Dr. Buniamin Memedi.
This event was concluded with a program prepared by students of the class for students with special needs of the primary school “Liria” and students of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation. In addition, in appreciation and gratitude for the mothers of children with special needs, this year the Department for Special Education and Rehabilitation awarded gratitude for participation in this event.