Inclusion in Higher Education Under Wartime: National Level of Regulation and Strategic Development Goals

Abstract

The article explores programme documents and strategic goals aiming at enactment of inclusion in higher education at the national level in the context of the existing problems of inclusive education implementation. The content of Ukrainian legislation is examined, namely: The Procedure for Inclusive Education Organization in Institutions of General Secondary Education, The National Strategy for Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine for the period of 2030; The Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in Ukraine for 2022-2032. A number of challenges related to implementation of inclusion in Ukrainian higher education institutions dealing with operation of local and national authorities have been identified, as well as the absence of cooperation between authorities, higher education institutions, civic organizations, which hampers facilitation of inclusion in higher education; lack of educational infrastructure and methodical support for inclusive education in higher education institutions; inadequate level of academic staff competences in the field of inclusive education; absence of psychological support for students with special educational needs, other students and teachers. The National Strategy for Inclusive Education Development for 2023 – 2030 should become the comprehensive strategic document outlining the directions for overcoming the identified challenges. The above document identifies strategic and operational goals of inclusive education development, effectiveness indicators and practical assignments. The article defines peculiarities of higher education inclusion implementation for each operational goal.