DUSHANBE, November 3, 2014, Asia-Plus — Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) conducted two closing ceremonies at Schools ## 28 and 72 in Dushanbe on October 24 and October 27 respectively to celebrate the end of the first phase of the inclusive education project.
The Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Dushanbe city Department of Education, the District Education Department, parents, teachers, and students observed this occasion. This 9-month grant project began on January 29, 2014 with the financial assistance from the Japanese government, totaling US$329,060. This project was the first of the three phases that AAR implements for inclusive education in Tajikistan.
AAR aims at supporting the current efforts of the government of the Republic of Tajikistan for inclusive education, defined in the “National Conceptual Framework for the Inclusive Education of Children with Disabilities in the Republic of Tajikistan Designed for the Period from 2011 to 2015.”
The project reportedly consisted of two parts. The first part included the rehabilitation of school buildings and provision of equipment. AAR installed wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and renovated restrooms in order to enhance the accessibility for children with physical disabilities. It also provided educational materials, rehabilitation equipment, and mobility devices to the resource classrooms at the two schools.
The second part focused on strengthening human resources for inclusive education. With the cooperation of the local public organizations Rushdi Inclusia and IRODA, AAR provided 4 teacher trainings with total 108 teachers and NGO staff from 58 different schools around Dushanbe city. Additionally seminars, consultation, and raising-awareness activities were provided to teachers and students. Furthermore four representatives from the partner schools and organizations visited Japan and observed the Japan’s initiatives on educational support for students with different disabilities.
Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) is a non-governmental organization aiming to provide emergency assistance, assistance to people with disabilities, mine action and assistance to HIV/AIDS. Established in 1979 as an organization with no political, ideological, or religious affiliation, it aims to extend emergency and long term support to the people in need of help. AAR JAPAN is currently active in Japan and other thirteen countries around the world.
AAR JAPAN has been implementing projects in Tajikistan since 2001, targeting on emergency assistance, medical and agricultural sectors for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
