Schools are obligated to accept simple to moderate cases without discrimination

13,000 teachers trained in Abu Dhabi on the needs of students of determination

Comprehensive educational pathways to help students of determination reach their fullest potential.

From the source

The Department of Education and Knowledge revealed that it visited 205 schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and trained about 13,000 specialists in private schools, on the needs of children of determination, in the nursery and kindergarten stages, understanding autism, assessing dyslexia, the basics of inclusive education, and preparing an individual educational plan. And setting goals and providing an inclusive educational environment, as part of its work on preparing and developing the education axis, within the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination.

The department confirmed the work on preparing the integration charter, which will define unified standards and guidelines for developing inclusive education practices and policies for educational institutions in the emirate, in addition to developing a comprehensive digital library for students' families, as a reference for them to access the information and resources they need at any time, noting that its plans to implement The Educational Inclusion Model initiative is in line with its vision to develop the current education strategy for People of Determination in the Emirate, to ensure the provision of inclusive education for them, in accordance with international best practices.

The concept of inclusive education is based on the principle that every person has potentials that allow him to contribute to building his community, and that people of determination have the same right to access education and growth opportunities.

The department indicated that it is working to implement modern plans to develop inclusive education policies and programs to empower students of determination, which comes within the education pillar of the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024, by providing comprehensive educational paths that suit their requirements within the general and specialized education system in Abu Dhabi schools. With the aim of helping them reach their fullest potential, she added, her efforts are based on three pillars, including an inclusive education model, a highly efficient transition process, and alternative educational paths at all levels of education.

The department stressed its belief in the right to education for all segments of society, including children of determination, as the department strives to develop policies and legislation, and launch initiatives that ensure their complete integration into the educational system, ensuring the development of their language abilities and social skills from the early years, starting from the stage of Kindergarten and basic education, noting that inclusive education is one of the most important pillars of her work.

She said that she is keen to develop the education system that supports students of determination during their educational journey, through cooperation with all concerned authorities, with the aim of covering all main axes.

It stated in the Abu Dhabi Private Schools Policies Manual, that the special educational needs of the student do not prevent the submission of an application for affiliation or enrollment in any private school, and students with special needs are treated without discrimination from their other peers, but rather everyone is given equal opportunities for education, pointing out that “students may not be deprived of Those who need special education will have access to a complete educational program that suits their educational needs.

The department stressed that schools should accept students of determination (simple to moderate cases) without discrimination, and provide them with an equal educational opportunity with their peers, as private schools in the emirate must accept and accommodate them, provide distinguished services to meet their different educational needs, and integrate them as much as possible. With others in daily school activities.

She stated that it is expected that every student with a delay or a mild to moderate disability will be accepted and treated with due appreciation and the utmost care of the entire school community.

The department authorized the school to impose additional fees on the families of students of determination, in return for providing additional support to the student, provided that these fees do not exceed 50% of the approved tuition fees for other students.

She pointed out the need for a qualified responsible coordinator for educational needs programs within the private school staff, who is responsible for managing the services provided by the school to students with special educational needs, and to meet with the concerned students’ families before the beginning of each new academic year and in the first month of the academic year. To make arrangements to properly accommodate students' needs, meet them, and ensure their success.

educational needs policy

The Department of Education and Knowledge emphasized that private schools in the emirate should prepare a policy to support students with special educational needs, and take into account - when formulating its policy - the adoption of an integrated approach that welcomes students with special educational needs, by accepting them, providing the curriculum and activities for them, and developing Integrated individual educational programs that do not prevent students with special educational needs from accessing them.

She pointed out the need for students with special educational needs to be able to participate in the school's general education system, to the fullest extent possible, have full access to the curriculum, achieve the educational standards set for all students, and adjust them to suit their educational needs, through their individual educational plans and programs, and interaction. With other students and develop interdependent relationships, so that the student can participate in society successfully as he grows, in addition to relying on available academic support services - if they are experiencing difficulties in the educational program - and participate as much as possible in extra-curricular activities.

3 axes for developing inclusive education in the “People of Determination Strategy” are:

■ An inclusive education model.

■ Highly efficient transition process.

■ Alternative educational paths at all grade levels.

• «The concept of inclusive education is based on the principle that every person has potentials that allow him to contribute to building his society».

• “Students who need special education should not be denied access to a complete educational program that suits their educational needs.”

“The school may impose fees on the families of students of determination, in exchange for providing them with additional support, provided that its value does not exceed 50% of the fees of other students.”

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news