The Regional Development Public Union (RDPU) presented a report entitled “Review of Inclusive Education Policy in Azerbaijan” prepared within the framework of the “Expanding Access to Quality Inclusive Education” project implemented with the support of BP Azerbaijan.

At the event, Mr.Farid Suleymanov, head of the Inclusive Education Project, spoke about the importance of inclusive education in the development of people with disabilities and inclusive society. He noted that the promotion of inclusive education is one of the important directions of state policy in our country. Inclusive education is an educational concept that includes the provision of equal, quality educational opportunities not only for people with disabilities, but for all people in general. The state is taking important steps to promote inclusive education. At the same time, public organizations also contribute to work in this area.

Farid Suleymanov said that a number of works in the field of development of inclusive society and education have been implemented in the country within the relevant projects implemented by the Regional Development Public Union since 2018, positive results have been achieved and the activities in this direction have become sustainable. 6 Inclusive Education Centers have been established at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and its branches in Shamakhi, Guba, Sheki, Jalilabad and Agjabadi within the framework of the project “Improving the skills of teachers in the field of inclusive education” implemented by the Public Union with the support of the European Union in 2018-2020.

Teacher development programs on inclusive education have been developed together with international experts. On the basis of these programs, primary school teachers, school principals, teaching staff, more than 2,000 students, and parents were trained on inclusive education, and textbooks and visual aids were published. Earlier, the portal on inclusive education was also launched.

An analysis of the legislation on inclusive education in Azerbaijan and a report "Review of inclusive education policy in Azerbaijan" was prepared as well. Work is underway to establish inclusive resource centers in 4 secondary schools in Baku and Sumgayit, to hold informational seminars for teachers and parents on inclusive education and disability issues, and to carry out public awareness work.

Mr. Firudin Gurbanov, Deputy Minister of Education said that the implementation of the "State Program for the Development of Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2018-2024", adopted for the widespread introduction of inclusive education, is going on. A pilot project on inclusive education is currently being implemented in 12 schools under the State Program. In order to create an inclusive environment in these schools, the infrastructure has been adapted and the teaching staff has been involved in inclusive education training. The activities are planned to expand the network of inclusive education schools.

The Deputy Minister of Education noted that 12,562 people were involved in special education in Azerbaijan in the 2021-2022 academic year. 157 of them are involved in inclusive education, 8456 people are involved in home education. At present, the Ministry of Education continues to work with government organizations, international foundations, public associations, and non-governmental organizations to improve national legislation, expand inclusive education in general education, and train teachers.

Mr.Hidayat Abdullayev, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection noted that the ministry has prepared draft regulations in pursuance of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the application of the Law "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities". The DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Center has also been established to develop and promote the creative potential, talents and other abilities of people with disabilities, including those identified as war invalids, members of martyrs' families, as well as socially vulnerable groups.

Mr. Ilgar Gasimov, Deputy Minister of Health stressed the importance of inclusive education for the rapid integration of people with disabilities into society and strengthening their mental health, noting that comprehensive measures should be taken in this direction.

Mrs. Leyla Tagiyeva, head of the international cooperation department of the Regional Development Public Union, noted that it is necessary to develop an inclusive policy that provides for the right of children with disabilities to access quality education. It was noted that today's event is significant in terms of informing all stakeholders involved in the policy-making process about the best practices in this area and a broad discussion of the activities required to improve the inclusive education system in the country.

The report "Review of inclusive education policy in Azerbaijan" prepared by Mr. Peter Grimes and Marike Stevens, the international experts was presented by international experts on inclusive education. The report analyzes a number of legislative acts related to inclusive education in Azerbaijan, the experience of countries with an exemplary legal framework, as well as an action plan to strengthen legislation and develop inclusive education.

The event continued with discussions.