Protest underway at Ministry of Education over abolition of Inclusive Development Department

A protest is currently taking place outside the Ministry of Education of Georgia, where individuals with disabilities and their family members have gathered to oppose the government’s decision to abolish the Inclusive Development Department.

Protesters have formally submitted applications to the Ministry demanding that the department remain independent, expressing concern over the implications of the move for inclusive education in Georgia.

"They cannot see us, they do not want to see us, and this is the main reason they made this decision, which they are embellishing with reorganization and supposedly linking to strategies," said one of the demonstrators. "There is no such thing as inclusion being an addition -  inclusion is necessary and a priority."

According to the Ministry's restructuring plans, the Inclusive Development Department will no longer function as a separate entity. Instead, its responsibilities will be merged with the Strategic Planning Department.