INCLUSIVE EDUCATION DR. SIMON GEORGE TAUKENI UNAM HIFIKEPUNYE POHAMBA CAMPUS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION staukeni@unam.na

WHAT IS INCLUSIVE EDUCATION? A process of addressing and responding to a diversity of needs of all learners through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities, and reducing exclusion within and from education. It involves changes and modifications in content, approaches, structures and strategies, with a common vision which covers all children of appropriate age range and a conviction that it is the responsibility of the regular system to educate all children.

WHOSE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IS IT FOR? IT IS FOR ALL CHILDREN, GIFTED AND AVERAGE, MORE SO FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE Orphans Child labours Over aged With emotional and or behavioral challenges With disabilities With learning difficulties In extreme poverty The girl-child In remote areas: San, OvaTue, OvaZemba With chronic illness and extreme health conditions In squatter camps In refugee resettlement camps Street children Head of households Of farm workers

WHY INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERY CHILD IN NAMIBIA? It provides a framework within which all children – regardless of ability, gender, language, ethnic or cultural origin – can be valued equally, treated with respect and provided with real opportunities at school to make a contribution Child development (learning from others is part of growth and development, we all need one another) Diversity (every child counts in the classroom) A basic right to education (EVERY CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO BE EDUCATED. No child should be left behind!)

WHAT SHOULD A TEACHER CONSIDER IN AN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM? DESPITE MANY OTHER GOOD PRACTICES, THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IS TO KNOW YOUR CHILDREN NEEDS, INTERESTS, ABILITIES AND THEIR LEARNING STYLES. THAT IS THE KEY THEN YOU USE THE MOST APPROPRIATE TEACHING METHODS AND TEACHING STYLES BELIEVE ME YOU WILL NEVER GO WRONG!!

HOW DOES A CONDUCIVE INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE LIKE? IT ALL DEPENDS TO YOU AS A TEACHER, E.G. YOUR VALUES, ATTITUDES AND WORK ETHICS! BUT THE BEST ENVIRONMENT IS WHERE EVERY CHILD FEELS ACCEPTED, LISTENED TO, VALUED AND FREE TO PARTICIPATE. YOU MAY ORGANIZE YOUR CLASS ACCORDING TO: Friendship groupings, Mixed sex OR Same sex groupings, Mixed ability OR Same ability groupings, Rotational or fixed learning groups

In Conclusion I love a happy ending please allow me some few seconds to read to you this poem that touches my heart, I will be fast!!! A SPECIAL DEDICATION TO THOSE HARD WORKING TEACHERS IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION SETTINGS

A POEM You greet me every morning with a great big smile Help me out of the car Even if it takes a while I am a little girl who cannot hear or speak But still you understand me, Week after week. I have more challenges than most other people, you know But you never give up on me Even if my progress is slow You help me with my daily life skills Help me to succeed Teach me how to sing and play Adapt it to my special needs I am strong and happy I like to giggle and tease Sometimes I may even drop down on my knees You work very hard everyday, Help me learn and grow You are patient, kind and loving This I wanted you to know It takes a special person to be a teacher like you And my Mommy and Daddy are grateful For everything you do! http://differentizgood.org/2011/04/a-poem-for-special-teachers/

I THANK YOU! TEACHER’S HOUSE. EDUCATORS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS TOO!!