Acting Ombudsperson Mr. Hilmi Jashari visited the main educational centre “Përparimi” in Prishtinë/Priština where of children with disabilities are taught. This visit constituted another attempt on the side of the Ombudsperson Institution to raise public awareness regarding the position of persons with disabilities in Kosovan society.
“The lack of adequate conditions for learning and the lack of sufficient dedication of the Kosovo authorities constitute ongoing examples of discrimination of children with special needs and subsequently makes their integration into society very difficult” said Mr. Jashari during a visit to the special school “Përparimi” in Prishtinë/Priština.
The principal of this centre, Ms. Igballe Asllani, informed the Ombudsperson Institution’s officials that 102 children with disabilities attended lessons at this school. Speaking of the difficult conditions of the school, Ms. Asllani pointed out that the school had only one 120 m² at its disposal. She also stated that the school was not provided with sufficient means of transport for its students.
According to the Acting Ombudsperson, another disturbing problem which should be resolved by the governing authorities is the fact that children with disabilities are deprived of the right to receive substantive assistance. Mr. Jashari therefore, called upon the competent authorities to approve as soon as possible a programme, that would foresee the inclusion of these children into the social system of Kosovo in order to support their further development in an adequate manner. .
Mr. Jashari also pointed out the necessity that local and central authorities provide greater support to the school “Përparimi”, in particular due to its functions as a main educational centre and the important role it plays in the integration of children with disabilities in the overall education system in Kosovo.