In Tajikistan, disability is stigmatised and children are sent to state institutions or hidden away at home. Indeed, social attitudes and stigma plays a significant role in limiting the possibilities for children with special educational needs, here.
Over 125,000 people are registered as special needs in Tajikistan, 19,000 are under sixteen years old and 1,447 children are registered as orphans. Approximately, 2,505 children are registered as living in twenty three different special education institutions. Alas, the data contradicts with reality, as many are not registered or have not been physically seen over the years. Hence, inconsistent, inaccurate, incomplete and out-of- date data are often the root cause of the existing issue.
Very few of these children with special educational needs attend school. Apparently, the standards don’t allow enough flexibility for students who learn differently. But, parents in Tajikistan have begun to stand up for their children’s rights. They advocate for change and betterment, lobby with schools, local authorities and ministries to facilitate the inclusion of their children into mainstream schools.
Together with Association of Parents of Disabled Children (APDC) in Dushanbe, QNET and RYTHM Foundation have embarked on a joint venture in building a tight–knit friendship across Tajikistan and Malaysia to give these