The Ombudsman advocates for the needs of children with special needs

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva sent an official statement to the National Assembly, in which she expresses principled support for the new bill to amend the Law on Preschool and School Education. The main focus is on improving conditions for children with special educational needs (SEN).

"Inclusive education is the key to a society without discrimination, but it requires consistent support and real investments," Delcheva asserts.

Key points in support of the bill:

  • Opportunity to create an individual curriculum only for specific subjects.
  • Flexibility in providing general and additional support according to the child's needs.
  • Closer interaction between educational and social institutions in schools.

Recommendations for improvement:

Despite her support, the Ombudsman calls for additional measures to prevent the social isolation of students:

  • Introduction of a combined form of education for children who are educated individually.
  • Restoration of the full-day organization of the school day for students with SEN.
  • Refining the rules for appointing teacher assistants and working in special groups.

The bill is set to be discussed at a roundtable, where models for more personalized and inclusive education will be presented.