Better Training and Facilities Will Enable Inclusive Education, Say Teachers and School Management;
Parents Eager to Include Children in Regular Classes
Children with special needs will soon find a smooth integration into Emirati Schools, finds a new study from The British University in Dubai (BUiD).
Following the societal need for effective inclusive education, a trend that is finding its way to UAE government schools, a professor from BUiD has found that with the implementation of better training and facilities, children with special needs will soon be able to integrate into government Emirati schools.
The research, using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data, and conducted by Dr. Eman Gaad, Senior Lecturer for Education at BUiD, found that in order to implement effective inclusion of children with special needs in regular school, issues such as the lack of support, training, teaching load and in-class help need to be addressed.
Further findings state that the need to conduct training in different areas of disability is essential, and school management feel that infrastructure modifications to make the schools more accessible, and equipment to cater to certain disabilities, are vital aspects for successful inclusion.
“Through my research and longstanding career in special needs education, I find the recent improvements made in the past few years have brought us closer to our goal. However, there is still a lot of work to do and support needed to enhance the country’s standards in special education,” said Dr. Eman Gaad.
“Education and awareness is crucially important. I am confident that my research, which was conducted nationwide, will help government schools prepare a systematic and practical approach so that Inclusive Education Policy is effectively implemented,” added Gaad.
Parents of all children played a large role in the research and believe strongly that children with special needs should partake in regular classes and be provided the same learning opportunities as other children.
Gaad concluded: “With strong support from the UAE Government and organisations such as the Emirates Foundation, as well as parents, teachers and the community as a whole, we are at the point of visible improvement and the right solutions are being applied.”
Dr. Gaad reviewed three government schools in each of the seven Emirates, over a fourteen month period.
