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Regression in education: special schools put inclusion at risk
The new Styrian state government is sticking to special schools, experts warn of dangers to inclusion and human rights.
Regression in education: special schools put inclusion at risk
The new state government of Styria has caused eyebrows to frown with its government program. The plan to maintain special schools as exclusive educational institutions for children with disabilities contradicts the demands of the United Nations and represents an alarming return to segregation. Despite years of efforts at inclusion, experts denounce the move as a blatant violation of human rights. The Secretary General of Lebenshilfe Steiermark, Sandra Walla-Trippl, makes it unmistakably clear that there is no “uniform disability”. Instead, she calls for more investment in inclusive education centers where diversity should be celebrated as a strength. At the same time, Dietmar Ogris from the “Self-determined Life” association warned that the decision to maintain special schools sent a deplorable signal and violated the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Particularly worrying is the statement in the government program that the need for individual care and support is greater than that for education. This blanket assumption undermines the right of children with disabilities to an inclusive education. Prof. Dr. Tobias Buchner from the Independent Monitoring Committee describes the new regulation as an example of a fatal undesirable development that not only endangers the progress already made in the area of inclusion in Styria, but also reverses it. The denial of contemporary education and development not only contradicts legal requirements, but also the practice of many schools in the region. The program is a sharp criticism of the current government approach to education, such as ots.at reported.
Criticism of the disregard for human rights
Criticism of the state government's decision is increasing. Resistance is forming against the retention of special schools, and Matthias Grasser, who is himself in a wheelchair, describes the current situation as a step backwards to the 1970s. “We will not put up with this,” said Grasser, who also points out the need to hold dialogues with the new political leaders. The official voices from disability organizations and experts urgently postulate the need to create more inclusive framework conditions in order to guarantee children an equal education steiermark.orf.at impressively shows.