ArmInfo.On the occasion of the International Children's Day, the first preschool education center for disabled children in Armenia was opened in the border village of Gtashen in the Amasia region - a project funded by the Government of Bulgaria jointly with UNICEF. The center is designed for the rehabilitation of children with disabilities or developmental delays. It has been renovated, refurbished and equipped with new rehabilitation services.
"Through our long-term cooperation with the Government of Bulgaria, UNICEF continues to provide access to education, health care and rehabilitation services for children living in remote regions of Armenia. The preschool years coincide with the middle years of early childhood, and they lay a solid foundation for future success in school. UNICEF will continue this work to reach more remote areas and more children in need of special care and assistance, " said Yuri Oksamitny, acting UNICEF Representative in Armenia, at the opening ceremony of the kindergarten. As part of the program, kindergarten staff underwent special training, armed with new methods of working with children and providing rehabilitation services. The center received new didactic materials, new games, new furniture and panels. This program also provides for the coordinated work of medical, social, educational services to ensure early detection of children with disabilities, their full integration.
"The government appreciates the development and implementation of this model. The Ministry of Education initiated a large package of reforms, within the framework of which the Law on Preschool Education was developed in a completely new version, introducing an alternative model for the introduction of preschool education. Thus, small communities in Armenia that do not have a kindergarten also have the opportunity to open kindergartens by choosing one of the various alternative models available, "said Arsen Baghdasaryan, head of the general education department of the Ministry of Education and Science.
<The establishment of this center is of great importance to prevent migration. If children are not provided with the necessary services in the community, then parents, especially young ones, tend to emigrate, "said Jema Harutyunyan, mayor of the united Amasia community. It should be noted that the Step by Step Foundation and the Armenian Caritas charitable public organization also took part in the implementation of the project.