Inclusive education for children with special educational needs (SEN) represents a global challenge. Despite the collective desire to make education accessible to all children, there is a lack of understanding among many stakeholders regarding the principles of child development with SEN. This gap, along with a shortage of qualified professionals and the absence of scalable systemic solutions, hampers the implementation of inclusive education in Kazakhstan. However, through dialogue with the Ministry of Education and collaboration with Maxwell Distribution, the largest educational solutions distributor in Kazakhstan, a ray of hope for change has emerged. They plan to utilize an innovative solution known as MIKKO to address the challenges of inclusive education on a national level.
In Kazakhstan, many children with disabilities do not receive the quality education they deserve. They remain on the fringes of the educational system and society at large. Despite legislation ensuring equal rights to education for children with SEN, implementing inclusive education remains a complex task. One of the primary barriers is the lack of understanding among stakeholders who mistakenly believe that sensory pools with colorful balls and soft poufs are the core developmental technologies. This narrow perspective hinders progress and leaves children with SEN in a critical situation.
However, with the introduction of MIKKO, hope for change in the landscape of inclusive education has emerged. MIKKO is a comprehensive solution developed by Unowa, in partnership with Maxwell Distribution. It offers innovative didactic and methodological tools for working with children with SEN. A key feature of MIKKO is its holistic approach, combining diagnostics, methodologies, and resources within a single product.
MIKKO has undergone extensive testing, accumulating over 10,000 hours of usage on more than 150 children with autism, intellectual disabilities, dyslexia, and other neurodivergences. The testing results have demonstrated high effectiveness and successful implementation of MIKKO in 699 inclusive resource centers, validating its potential for national scalability and effectiveness in overcoming the challenges of inclusive education in Kazakhstan.
Realizing MIKKO on a national level in Kazakhstan requires efforts from the government, educational institutions, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. Partnering with Maxwell Distribution and engaging in dialogue with the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan has marked the first step on this path. It is crucial for all stakeholders to collaborate and challenge the misconceptions surrounding child development with SEN while promoting the concept of inclusive education.
The challenges of inclusive education in Kazakhstan demand immediate attention and action. MIKKO represents a wise solution that can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. By integrating diagnostics, methodologies, and resources, it provides the necessary components for successful inclusive education. The collective efforts of the government, educational institutions, and all stakeholders will be instrumental in achieving full inclusion and equal opportunities for children with SEN in Kazakhstan.
References:
– Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan: https://edu.gov.kz/
– Maxwell Distribution: https://www.maxwelldistribution.com/
– Unowa: https://unowa.eu/Mikko/