The Agency is continuing its work with the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs (MERA) to promote inclusive education in Greece. The work is funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG Reform) as part of the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP).
As part of the on-going work, which has so far included workshops, working groups and desk research, the Agency planned a study visit for MERA representatives to meet with policy experts in Scotland in early 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit was postponed, and has now been replaced with a virtual, online ‘study visit’ on 18 March.
Scottish experts, including teachers, educational psychologists and representatives from Education Scotland, the Scottish Inspectorate of Education and the National Parent Forum of Scotland will present key themes in the Scottish education system. These will include an overview of the education system and national policy in Scotland, information on assessment and transitions between education phases, and the role of parents and carers in inclusive education systems. The presentations will be followed by opportunities for discussion with the MERA representatives.
The ‘study visit’ aims to facilitate information exchange on inclusive policies and practices. It will also provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the challenges of implementing inclusive policies. Scotland has a good grounding in inclusive policy and practice, which MERA hopes to learn from in its progress towards a more inclusive education system.