As a result of the trilateral cooperation between Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU), Perkins International (USA) and “For You” NGO, lecturers and students of the
Faculty of Special Education are undergoing training in the Kharberd Specialized Orphanage.
The program, which launched in January 2011, aims to educate and train special pedagogues working with children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities.
Within the framework of the collaboration, trained specialists are invited to America.
Seminars and practical trainings are held in the Kharberd Specialized Orphanage which is the home for 6-18-year-old children with serious physical and mental problems. The Division of Ergotherapy/Occupational Therapy/ of the ASPU Faculty of Special Education is housed in the building of the orphanage.
During the seminars, the specialists practically strengthen their knowledge through music therapy, game therapy, art therapy and other methods. Through group activities they follow the children with different impairments and apply new methods with the help of the training specialist.
The group includes ASPU lecturers and students, as well as 27 specialists from different orphanages and special schools.
Isabel Amaral has arrived from Portugal to participate in the third stage of training. She is a graduate of Perkins International and is training specialists of different countries within the framework of the program.
During her work in Armenia, the specialist became convinced that people in the country do not view disabled people as full members of the society. During the exchange of experience and new methods, Isabel Amaral noticed that people do not have a clear understanding of modern methods of educating these children.
“Only after working with children and public you can organize the inclusive education in the given environment. I consider organization of seminars in institutions, which really aim to implement inclusive education, to be effective, expedient and advisable,” Isabel Amaral told armspu.am.
Perkins International has been cooperating with the Kharberd Specialized Orphanage since 2010: after discussions and introductions it was decided to expand cooperation.
Director of the orphanage Harutyun Balasanyan highly appreciates the collaboration.
“The specialists of the orphanage have been trained in different countries, but the cooperation with Perkins International enables them to familiarize with the global experience and modern methods.
These seminars come to fill the gap in the field, helping children with disabilities be included in inclusive schools,” he said.
The director has repeatedly raised the need to amend the curriculum for special education.
He believes that the subject Human Anatomy should have its importance place in the educational process, besides, instead of submitting essays and term papers students should be asked to present the results of their practice in specialized schools.
Hasmik Tsvakeryan, a special educator of Gyumri-based Children's Home Orphanage, has also attended the training courses of Perkins International. She says that each course gives specialists new knowledge and experience and introduces changes in their work style.
The coordinator of the seminars and lecturer at the Division of Ergotherapy, Marianna Harutyunyan, says after the end of the fourth phase scheduled for next spring the best participants of the program will travel to the USA to study at Perkins International. They are expected to train special educators in Armenia upon their return.
