Diploma in Inclusive Education culminates with a call to transform classrooms through equity and diversity
Sixty education professionals from Educational Regions 04 and 10 corresponding to San Cristóbal and Santo Domingo completed a 140-hour training course aimed at strengthening inclusive psychopedagogical practices in the Dominican education system.
SANTO DOMINGO. – To achieve educational inclusion that guarantees access, retention, participation, and learning for all students in the Dominican education system, it is necessary to strengthen collaborative work, raise awareness within the educational community, increase family involvement, and eliminate barriers that hinder the development of truly accessible and equitable environments.
This was the view expressed by a panel of experts who addressed the topic during the closing ceremony of the Diploma in Inclusive Education taught by the Center for Educational Studies attached to the Area of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), with the support of the National Institute for Teacher Training and Development (INAFOCAM) and the Ministry of Education of the Dominican Republic (MINERD).
The panel titled “Strengths and challenges for quality inclusive education in Regions 04 and 10” It was moderated by the psychologist Martha Rodríguez Wagner, coordinator of the diploma program, the Bachelor's degree in Psychology and the Master's degree in Clinical and Health Psychology at INTEC, and they integrated Alejandra Perez, specialist in clinical psychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy; Alba Polanco, expert in neuropsychology and care policies with a gender perspective; Carla Bueno, specialist in child and adolescent assessment and diagnosis; Clara Cruz-Marte, PhD in linguistics and expert in education for deaf children; and Sandra Cuevas, specialist in applied linguistics and early literacy.
The facilitators agreed that inclusive education requires a continuous transformation of pedagogical practices, as well as a focus on the abilities and potential of each student. They also emphasized the importance of building learning communities and promoting accessible environments for all.
By offering the words of welcome to the event, Dalul OrdehiThe dean of the Social Sciences and Humanities Area asserted that inclusive education is not a passing trend, or a pedagogical approach of psychology, but a fundamental right and an urgent need in our society.
Anastasia Brazoban, National Teaching Technician, Coordinator of the Inclusive Education Model of the Ministry of Education, stated that “We not only celebrate the culmination of a training process, but also the openness to awareness and the willingness of each of you to rethink education from a more equitable vision where diversity is recognized as a value.”
Training and Impact
A total of 60 education professionals, including teachers, coordinators, counselors, psychologists, directors and teaching technicians from the educational regions 04 of San Cristóbal and 10 of Santo Domingo, completed the diploma course which lasted 140 hours.
The certificate award ceremony brought together academic authorities and representatives from the education sector committed to strengthening a more equitable and accessible education for all. Among those present was Mónica Caram, coordinator of the Center for Educational Studies at INTEC.
On behalf of the participants, scholarship recipients Josefa Reyes, from Regional 04 in San Cristóbal, and Elizabeth de León, from Regional 10 in Santo Domingo, shared testimonials about the impact of the diploma program on their professional practice and their vision of education. Both emphasized that this experience strengthened their skills in designing inclusive strategies and contributing to an education that leaves no one behind.