ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, 19 March 2026 – British Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mr Stephen Conlon and Jalpa Ratna, UNICEF Representative visited Pilot Inclusive School No. 74 in Ashgabat yesterday, to observe how inclusive education is being implemented in practice and how schools and their environment are being adapted to ensure that children with disabilities can access, learn and participate alongside their peers.
During the visit, the Ambassador and the UNICEF Representative met with the school administration, representatives of the Ministry of Education and multi-disciplinary support professionals to discuss progress, challenges and opportunities in advancing inclusive education. They also visited classrooms, where they witnessed inclusive education in action. Teachers shared their experiences, speaking about their students, and the remarkable progress they have made in both learning and social development.
One of the most touching moments of the visit was a conversation with the mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). “Since my son started attending mainstream school, I have seen incredible progress. He used to be very sensitive to noise and avoided interacting with others, but now he is more confident, enjoys making new friends and even gives hugs” – she said. The mother also serves as a teacher assistant in the classroom to support her child during lessons—an effective approach within inclusive education models that are being implemented as part of the pilot.
The guests were invited to observe part of the children’s daily routine, which included interactive learning, exercises, and dance. The children enthusiastically invited the visitors to join them, filling the classroom with smiles and laughter.
The visit was conducted within the project Accessible and Inclusive Schools for Children with Disabilities in Turkmenistan, funded by the UK International Development from the UK Government. It underscored the importance of collaboration between educators, families, and multi-sectoral partners in building inclusive schools where school adapts to the child – not the child to the school, and every child can thrive.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan and international partners, including the United Kingdom, continues to promote inclusive education and ensure that no child is left behind. ///nCa, 19 March 2026 (in cooperation with UNICEF Turkmenistan)