KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

“New phenomena do not occur smoothly: it is necessary to organize discussions with all responsible persons involved in the process. I hope you will apply the knowledge which proved to be effective during the exchange of experience,” Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Aram Sukiasyan said during the handover of certificates to participants of a two-day scientific and practical conference entitled “Inclusive Education: Challenges, Problems and Solutions.”

He said time is needed for the implementation of approaches adopted by the state. In the meantime, it is necessary to share the experience we have and overcome the obstacles and challenges that seem insurmountable. “The results of your activity will be tangible and you will feel appreciated to see your work praised by your children and parents, as well as people who need it,” Aram Sukiasyan stressed in his speech.

The official advised the specialists to help one another when implementing inclusive education instead of competing with one another.

Gayane Soghomonyan, Head of the Education Department at Yerevan Municipality, once again emphasized the cooperation with the Pedagogical University, stressing that ‘it is the direct way to communicate with specialists.’ She said that there is still much work to do and offered educators and parents to present their proposals in written form. “This cooperation is important and decisive for both sides. You help us to work properly and we help you in your work with children,” she added.

ASPU Vice-Rector Srbuhi Gevorgyan once again stressed the importance of discussing the existing problems in the sphere. She expressed hope that the two-day conference was a good opportunity for participants to acquire knowledge and skills and engage in professional dialogue. She added that the analyses revealed new problems and outlined plans for future cooperation between the Municipality and ASPU.

The participants, in turn, expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the conference, stressing the importance of frequent meetings which aim to discuss the existing problems, identify gaps and provide an important channel for exchange of opinions and experience.

“We should be ready for a give-and-take strategy, in a word; we should be open and available for one another,” said Sofa Hovsepyan, one of the participants of the conference.

The participants of the scientific and practical conference agreed that when people with the same concerns come together, problems become easier to overcome. They are sure that inclusive education should be implemented through each of us and the most important achievement of the sector is the progress and smile of each child involved in the process.

At the end of the conference, the attendees received certificates of participation attesting to their participation in a two-day conference organized by the Department of General Education of Yerevan Municipality in collaboration with Armenian State Pedagogical University.