Oriented on making people closer

On September 10, 2024, an important meeting took place between representatives of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State.

As reported by Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan Turkmenistan was represented by the Deputy Minister, the Head of the International Department, the Head of Preschool Education, and the Chief Specialist for General Secondary Education. During the discussions, the parties focused on several key issues related to improving the system of inclusive education, social support, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Turkmenistan.

Special attention was given to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and joint initiatives for knowledge exchange within the global "C5" program. These initiatives are aimed at developing and implementing more inclusive policies that ensure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, including persons with disabilities.

The representatives of the Ministry of Education emphasized that inclusive education and social integration are priority areas of state policy in Turkmenistan. The country is actively working to create conditions for quality education and future employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Additionally, the meeting discussed opportunities for further cooperation with international organizations to introduce advanced practices and programs that will help increase inclusivity across all sectors of society.

During the meeting, both parties agreed to continue the exchange of experience and expand cooperation aimed at supporting people with disabilities and creating conditions for their active participation in the social, educational, and economic life of the country.

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan expressed gratitude for the constructive dialogue and reaffirmed its commitment to further developing an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all citizens.

It was also noted that various programs are being implemented in the country to support children with special educational needs (SEN), including individualized learning options and government assistance in the form of allowances. These measures are aimed at creating conditions for the full development of children with disabilities and their successful integration into society, which is a key element of Turkmenistan's social policy.

The Turkmen side emphasized that all planned activities in the field of education for the first half of 2024, as outlined in important state documents such as the "National Action Plan for Human Rights in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025," the "National Action Plan for Gender Equality in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025," the "National Strategy for Early Childhood Development in Turkmenistan for 2020-2025," the "National Action Plan for 2021-2024 for the Implementation of Turkmenistan's Strategy for Preventing Violent Extremism and Countering Terrorism for 2020-2024," and the "Action Plan for the Implementation of the State Program on Youth Policy of Turkmenistan for 2021-2025," were successfully implemented. These activities aim to promote inclusive and equitable education, strengthen early childhood development, and foster youth education in the spirit of national values, while countering negative social phenomena.

Photo: education.gov.tm