Sub-Regional Workshop on Inclusive Education – Caribbean Inclusive Policies and Curricula in the Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda, 21-24 November, 2011
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Sub-Regional Workshop on Inclusive Education – Caribbean Inclusive Policies and Curricula in the Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda, 21-24 November, 2011. Introduction This workshop, which was hosted by various UNESCO offices with support from the Ministry of Education, Antigua and Barbuda, was attended by twenty-four (24) representatives from fourteen (14) countries. The main facilitator and presenter was Mr. Renato Opertti, Head of Curriculum Unit, UNESCO IBE, Curriculum Focus, Geneva Switzerland. The size of the group coupled with the style of the presenter allowed for a very interactive workshop with many opportunities for sharing and discussion. The Aims of the workshop were to: - 1. Bring together senior management officials as well as curriculum planners and specialists; 2. Promote common understandings of a broadened concept of inclusive education and its implications for holistic education policy and curricular reforms; 3. Provide an interregional perspective; 4. Refine and conceptualize inclusive education policies and curricula to the Caribbean context especially in terms of strategies, institutional arrangements and programmes. Objectives Development objective : broaden access to and improve the quality of education in global terms and in the Caribbean region specifically. Specific objective : strengthen the national educational capacities to develop and implement inclusive policy and curricular frameworks, by (i) Establishing common conceptual understandings around holistic visions, experiences and strategies with regard to inclusive policies and curricula; (ii) Identifying, discussing and analyzing inclusive education policies, curricula, strategies, institutional arrangements and programmes in the Caribbean; (iii) Sharing and adapting existing guidance materials on inclusive education to the needs of the Caribbean region; and (iv) Supporting the development of international and inter-regional modalities for networking, information sharing and cooperation. Opening 1 Welcome remarks were given by Dr. Reginald Murphy, Secretary - General, UNESCO National Commission of Antigua and Barbuda which was then followed by a speech given by Mr. Renato Opertti, Head of Curriculum Unit, UNESCO IBE, Curriculum Focus, Geneva Switzerland. Mr. Opertti made the following points:- • Inclusive Ed today is at the core at the definition of EFA; • Quality and equity goes hand in hand; • Inclusive education is an opportunity to rethink our educational systems from mission to practice; • It implies democratizing the education system, not education for some, but for all. Assistant Acting Director of Education, Antigua, Ms. Doristeen Etinoff, also brought welcoming remarks and commented that research has shown that there are better results for all in countries where inclusive education is practiced and that data has also indicated that children with disabilities educated in the regular system are more likely to go on to the world of work. The Minister of Education, Youth and Gender Affairs, Antigua, Hon. Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro in welcoming the participants made the following comments:- • Antigua launched a special education council last week so this workshop is timely; • Currently moving to Universal Secondary Education. o Inclusive Education • Maximising the potential of all children, greater opportunity; • Constant process of improving education; • Ongoing effort to identify and remove barriers; • Researchers have found that children learn and perform better when exposed to a wider range of approaches; • Opportunity to achieve high level through education along their peers. The participants from the various regions introduced themselves. The following countries were represented: • Antigua • St Vincent • Guyana • Barbados • Dominica • Bahamas • Jamaica 2 • St Kitts and Nevis • British Virgin Islands • Cayman Islands • Trinidad and Tobago • Curacao • Montserrat • Dutch St. Marteen Summary of Day 1 After the brief opening ceremony Mr. Opertti led the workshop into the process of developing a concept of inclusion. The following are some of the key elements that were highlighted that began to shift, adjust and clarify our understanding of Inclusive Education. Concept of Inclusion (key elements) 1. IE is a complex set of processes, moving through different levels all at the same time requiring a rethinking of relationships between school, community and society; 2. There is no unique model, tool or universal way of doing IE. There are different challenges. It is not about imitating but finding what is appropriate for your region and context; 3. It is about changing policies, practice and cultures- one cannot change without the other also being changed; 4. Not a destination that we arrive at but a never ending process… we are always striving to become more and more inclusive; 5. A strong look at outcomes disregards processes. Inclusive Education is not only about outcomes but processes are at the core; 6. Teacher education is very important, their preparedness and attitudes (openness to respect diversity of learners, needs and expectations). Reforming curriculum without moving teacher education from traditional to a modernized approach will not accomplish much. They are the ones who implement and must be seen as co-developers of curriculum. There must be buy in; 7. It is not about education of the average (there is no average, there are unique learners and so we must talk in terms of personalizing education). Defining Inclusive Education (key elements) • Effective learning opportunities for all, regardless of their context, situation, adversity, disadvantage; • Fairness, justice, engagement of stakeholders and learners; 3 • empowerment of learners in the process; • student welfare; • school reform at the core of the educational reform; • rethinking policy - education policy is at the same time a social policy, an economic policy; • separate projects will only help if they are within a larger policy framework. Paradigm of IE o Education seen as a universal right and public good • Implies a strong leadership capacity by the government • Government has to play a big role in bridging the gaps o Cycle of policies – it may be 20+ years for a policy to be developed; o Mindset training – much more beneficial to localize training at the school; o Practices – there are not best practices but many unique ways to deal with a situation – open minded to approaches. Key concepts – Special Education, Integration and Inclusive Education o Special Education • Attention for all students with special needs (disabilities); • Specialized schools; • Differentiated curriculum; • Special education teachers. (Personalisation of education, which is providing unique but not separate education, is needed). o Integration • Students with special needs integrated into the regular schools; • Improvement of infrastructure/equipment; • Special Education teachers and classes in regular schools. o Inclusion • Variety of learning strategies to accommodate diverse learners; • Education systems have to respond to the expectations, needs and learning styles of all children, youth and adults. 4 IE and Education for all (EFA) IE as the way to renew and accomplish EFA Four (4) core features of IE • Processes to address the diversity of expectations and needs of all students; • Identification and removal of all barriers to participation and learning; • Inclusive Education is about attendance, participation, and quality outcomes achieved for all students; • Support of those groups who are in risk of exclusion and marginalization. Summary of day 2 Education for all & Inclusive Education The traditional perspective of “Education for all” is one of access to education for children with disabilities and girls; Globally, we find that late entry, access and high dropout rates are barriers to education for all; In the Caribbean context entry is not so much a problem, but there are issues of access and dropouts; Inclusive Education is a mechanism for addressing these barriers. Three Levels of Inclusion 1. Presence - which children 2. Valued - children feel they can participate 3. Learning - achievement o Challenges to Inclusive Education (group discussion and presentation) Communication Elitism Local legislation Mindset Curriculum Inequity in resources Recognition of the problem Differentiation versus Inclusion 5 o What does “an inclusive school” mean? Groups were asked to discuss and present on what does “an inclusive school” mean to us. There were a lot of similarities in the views expressed. The following is a summary of the responses from the various groups. Philosophy and culture of inclusiveness Consensus Discussion Respect Individuality Learning assessment Flexible relevant curriculum Parent involvement Professional environment High expectations Development orientation Child seeking school o Closing remarks by Mr. Opertti Inclusive education is not simply accommodation Uniqueness of the person is the core of inclusive education. It requires educational system change Summary of day 3 Viewing of Introductory Video on Inclusive Education – St. Paul’s Primary, Manchester, U.K The right to education for all children, where opportunities to learn are provided in a safe and conducive environment, is one of the main guiding principles upon which this school operates. Interventions/approaches/areas of focus include • Inclusive curriculum • Participatory approach – working together • Peer support • Team work – pupils • Buddy approach – advance students take the place