ANALYSIS OF TEACHERS’ PREPAREDNESS TO WORK IN THE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION CONDITIONS

Abstract

Abstract. The article analyzes the teachers᾿ readiness to work in field of inclusive education. It is emphasized that in the context of educational reforms, the question of the feasibility of introducing inclusive education has become acute. This involves educating children with disabilities in comprehensive schools and kindergartens ‒ together with peers who are developing normally. According to the content of the modern national education model, it is assumed that the number of people with disabilities who get educational services in public institutions will increase. At the same time, in accordance with the national action strategy in the interests of children, it is planned to reduce the number of children with disabilities who remained outside the education system, for some objective reasons. Accordingly, it requires new demands on teachers, requires the expansion of their functional responsibilities, changes in professionally significant and personal characteristics. Modern society makes new demands on teachers ‒ the willingness and ability to teach all children without exceptions, regardless of their inclinations, abilities and disabilities. At the same time, the widespread use of a new category of children in kindergartens and secondary schools has led to changes in the teachers᾿ working conditions. The range of teachers᾿ pedagogical interests has significantly expanded. There is a social demand for updating the content of professional training, which includes issues of inclusive education. As a result of the conducted empirical research showed mostly the average, and also low readiness level for work in the inclusive education conditions. The respondents revealed interest in the education problems and raising children with disabilities together with their healthy peers, but just a small number of teachers are willing to work in these conditions. The reason is the lack of knowledges about the peculiarities of the children development, their special educational needs and the pace of progress in the educational process.