With OKTA’s support a new inclusive playground is opened in the Municipality of Aerodrom

(03.06.2021, Skopje) – The company OKTA, in cooperation with the Foundation “Step by step” and the Municipality of Aerodrom, donated a new inclusive playground in the primary school “Lazo Angelovski”. The playground offers access also for the children with disabilities, which enables their greater inclusion in the schooling and recreation activities.

The donation which is implemented with the financial support from both the company OKTA and the Municipality of Aerodrom, is part of the project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded”, which main scope is to provide entire and equal inclusion of the children with disabilities in the regular elementary schools, thus to enable their better education.

"OKTA as a socially responsible company has gladly joined in this project for improving the conditions for education and recreation of all children. We are aware that a better future is possible only if we all participate in its creation. For us, it is important to be part of the progress, especially when it comes to the youngest. The children with disabilities deserve opportunities that will ease their integration in both the education and the community. Therefore, we will continue to support the creation of equal opportunities in the education for all children", said Vuk Radovic, Chief Executive Officer of OKTA.

Municipality of Aerodrom works continuously on improving of the conditions in the schools, with special emphasis on the children with disabilities, creating conditions for greater inclusion of these pupils and connection with their peers.

"As an institution, we are fully committed to inclusive education. We work towards building equal conditions for education for all the children to have equal access to the schools, children’s and sports playgrounds. I am wholeheartedly grateful to both the company OKTA and the Foundation “Step by step”, for this inclusive playground. With our support of the “Be IN” project, an open inclusive playground will be built in the elementary school “Ljuben Lape”, as well as two sensory classrooms in the schools “Gjorgjija Pulevski” and “Blazhe Koneski”. Only through such joint cooperation between the civil society sector, the business community and the state institutions we can improve the conditions for our students and create a better world for all”, stated the Mayor of the Municipality of Aerodrom, Zlatko Marin.

The project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded”, besides ensuring equal inclusion of the children with disabilities in the regular schools, provides also scholarships for these category of students, better access to the schools, as well as tutoring support for the children with scholarships.

"As part of the project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded”, in cooperation with OKTA and the Municipality of Aerodrom, we are opening an inclusive playground in the biggest school in the most numerous Municipality in the capital. This playground is also accessible for the children with disabilities and will be a symbol of inclusion, coexistence and acceptance. Our Foundation continues its mission of quality education for every child in the country. Let’s be inclusive”, stated Suzana Kirandziska, Executive director of the Foundation “Step by step”.

Pero Arsenovski, Director of the school “Lazo Angelovski”, emphasized the importance of this playground for the children with disabilities and their greater inclusion in the educational process.

The support of the education is one of the main pillars of OKTA’s CSR strategy. Besides the playground that was donated to the Municipality of Aerodrom, as part of the project, OKTA will support the construction of two more such playgrounds in the country, by the end of the year.