At the instruction of the Human Rights Defender, representatives of the Defender’s Office conducted an unannounced monitoring visit to Yerevan Special School No. 17 under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia
During the visit, the representatives examined the School’s building and sanitary and hygiene conditions, accessibility, the organisation and provision of meals, access to medical care for students, staffing levels, relations between staff and students, and matters concerning the protection of students’ rights and interests.
Representatives of the Defender’s Office observed the organisation of the teaching and learning process and held private interviews with teaching staff to discuss challenges and difficulties affecting the effective exercise of the right to education.
Overall, the School provided the accessibility conditions necessary for students with special educational needs and students with disabilities to move around the premises and participate in the educational process. Nevertheless, the visit identified certain shortcomings concerning accessibility and the provision of necessary pedagogical and psychological support services to students with special educational needs.
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The School had one lift; however, its cabin was small and was not fully adapted to the needs of students with mobility difficulties, as it did not provide sufficient space for turning or manoeuvring. Moreover, given the number of students at the School, including those with mobility difficulties, a single lift was insufficient to ensure safe and unrestricted movement.
The necessary pedagogical and psychological support services for students with special educational needs were not fully available, and there was a need to ensure that the multidisciplinary team was fully staffed. In addition, specialists from the Territorial Pedagogical and Psychological Support Centre were not involved to the full extent required due to their heavy workloads.
Discussions with the School’s administration addressed, among other issues, challenges in providing the necessary pedagogical and psychological support services to children with special educational needs and children with disabilities, staffing gaps, and difficulties affecting the full and effective exercise of their right to education.
At the conclusion of the visit, some of the identified issues were discussed with the School’s principal and staff.
The School’s administration and staff cooperated effectively with representatives of the Defender’s Office throughout the visit.
The findings of the unannounced monitoring visit, including systemic issues repeatedly raised by the Defender, will be consolidated into a document and submitted, together with recommendations, to the competent authorities.
In her capacity as the official responsible for monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Human Rights Defender emphasises that creating an inclusive environment is an essential component of ensuring the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society.
In this context, the State must ensure the conditions, appropriate support and access to services necessary for children with special educational needs and children with disabilities to exercise their rights fully and effectively.
Human Rights Defender’s Office
