**Georgian Education Ministry’s Decision to Merge Inclusive Education Division Sparks Controversy**
The Education Ministry in Georgia has announced a decision to merge its Inclusive Education Division with the Strategic Planning Department. This move has been met with criticism from disability rights advocates, who fear that inclusive education will be sidelined in policy.
According to reports, the decision was made “to optimize and increase efficiency,” but critics argue that this is not a genuine attempt at improving the situation. Instead, they see it as an attempt to downplay the importance of inclusive education.
Ana Sikhashvili, a disability rights activist, said that when you abolish the Inclusive Education Division and merge it with other issues, “that means this issue [inclusive education] is no longer important to you.” This sentiment was echoed by Tamar Jghenti, a former Education Ministry official who was dismissed on June 7. She wrote on Facebook that inclusive education is built on human rights, and when human rights are not a priority for the country, there is no place for inclusive education either.
**Reorganization of Ministries Under Georgian Dream Government**
The move to merge the Inclusive Education Division comes as part of a wider “reorganization” of ministries by the Georgian Dream government. The Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute at the Foreign Ministry will also be abolished, with its responsibilities being assumed by the Foreign Ministry.
President Salome Zurabishvili criticized this move, saying that it was not in Georgia’s interest but rather a dictate from Russia. This decision has been seen as another example of the Georgian Dream government’s attempts to consolidate power and undermine institutions.
**Other Mergers Announced**
In recent weeks, other public agencies have also been merged or abolished under the Georgian Dream government. The NATO and EU Information Center was announced to be absorbed by the Foreign Ministry, while the Special Investigative Service will be merged into the Prosecutor’s Office. Additionally, the country’s Intelligence Service will be incorporated into the State Security Service.
These moves have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions in Georgia and the prioritization of the interests of the ruling party over those of the people.
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