This video is a presentation on analysis of a special education issue in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Please post your thoughts and feedback on the presentation. You can also mail me at www.karishma.sarin@waldenu.edu
Analysis of a Special Education Issue, Course project with Voiceover
1. ANALYSIS OF A SPECIAL
EDUCATION ISSUE
Course Project Presentation by:
KARISHMA SARIN
2. What is Special Education?
A set of Instructions prepared to meet the unique needs of
individuals with exceptional needs.
Set of instructions prepared for students with intellectual,
physical, behavioural or emotional disabilities.
Specifically modified/designed instructions to encourage
learning (UNESCO National Commission of the United
Republic of Tanzania, 2013-2014, p. 36-40).
3. The need, problem, or situation identified in the
educational setup in Tanzania:
Current scenario is not conducive for supporting special education
in the country’s educational set up. There is a need to:
Create a supportive environment for children with special needs.
Support learning needs of children with special needs.
4. The need, problem, or situation identified in the
educational setup ( contd..):
Historical and Political background on the issues:
The government policies are not strong enough in Tanzania which compel schools
to make adequate provisions for SEN.
Lack of awareness, acceptance and preparation with regard to SEN.
Quality of education is low as compared to schools in develop nations due to:
the lack of educational infrastructure (Greste, 2013).
Non availability/lack of adequate funds.
Lack of trained/experienced teachers, staff and adequate resources.
Rising costs of resources and assistive devices.
Inadequate support to SEN in public as well as private schools.
Few public schools in Dar es Salaam that are funded by the government, supports
SEN.
5. The need, problem, or situation identified in the
educational setup (contd..):
Environmental background on the issues:
Government of Tanzania has developed programmes to provide free primary school
education, but there are concerns about the quality of education:
Insufficient learning conditions eg: lack of space, student teacher ratio (Greste,
2013).
Shortage of teachers.
Inaccessibility to education due to distance, socio-economic conditions to name a
few.
Lack of safe and supportive infrastructure.
Non availability of assistive devices for learners with disability.
Some cultural concerns.
These conditions makes it difficult to pave way for SEN
6. Ethical, moral, and legal issues related to the
problem:
Non supportive attitude amongst students, teachers and the local
community (Greste, 2013).
Lack of administrative and school support at certain point.
Lack of funds.
Some students do not have access to equal right to education due to
physical and mental disabilities (UNESCO National Commission of
the United Republic of Tanzania, 2013-2014, p. 36-40).
Lack of support from family due to issues like financial restrains,
non supportive attitude towards disability, and communication
barriers.
7. Data and findings from research on problem
identified:
The Education Sector Performance Report (ESPR) of 2012 in
public schools in Tanzania indicate:
Enrollment of children with special needs in pre-primary education as 1,648
out of 985,060 of total student population.
Enrollment of children with special needs in primary education as 28,195
out of 8,019,748 of total student population. (UNESCO National
Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania, 2013-2014, p. 36-40).
Findings from private schools:
As per my research, prominent private schools do not provide sufficient
support for SEN, hence enrollment of such students is very low.
8. Data and findings from research on problem
identified:
The Education Sector Performance Report (ESPR) of 2012 in public schools
in Tanzania indicate (UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic of
Tanzania, 2013-2014, p. 36-40):
Enrolment of children with
special needs in pre-primary
education
Total student
population
985,060
SEN Student
population
1,648
Enrolment of children with
special needs in primary
education
Total student
population
8,019,748
SEN Student
population
28,195
Findings from private schools:
As per my research, prominent private schools do not provide sufficient support for
SEN, hence enrollment of such students is very low.
9. Proposed solutions for ‘creating supportive
environment’ for children with SEN:
Adequate space, accessibility and provision for mobility like:
Easy manoeuvring of wheelchairs / walkers.
Provision of ramps and railings for ease of movement.
Anti skid tiles for example, in toilets.
Smooth or levelled flooring.
Stable furniture.
Mats and carpet area to avoid injuries.
Good lighting in the classrooms.
10. Proposed solutions for ‘supporting learning needs’
of children with SEN:
Schools must have experienced teachers and trained staff to support SEN.
Inclusive education could be supported by adapting the curriculum and
teaching strategies to meet SEN of the students.
Identifying and supporting specific learning needs of children with SEN.
Preparing resources and teaching methods appropriate to the academic level
of the students.
Incorporating technology in education.
Keeping constant interaction and collaboration with parents.
Understand the background of the student eg: complete information about
the condition, socio- economic factors, dietary needs, habits etc.
11. Government of Tanzania’s efforts on SEN and
Inclusive Education:
The Education Sector Development Programme (ESPD, 2008-2017):
Emphasis on improving and providing equal education to children with special
needs wherever possible.
Teaching Development Management Strategy (TDMS, 2008-2013):
Focusing on providing adequate training to teachers.
Secondary Education Development Programme (SEDP II, 20010-2014):
Improving school facilities in government schools for SEN.
Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP III, 2002-2016):
Focusing to ensure supporting infrastructure and adequate facilities in schools.
12. Additional support can be provided to children
with SEN:
Spreading awareness through community support, camps and fund
raising.
Teachers and school authorities must discuss and implement best
possible support for students with SEN.
Schools can work in collaboration with professionals like
occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists for a
holistic development of students.
Schools must encourage teachers to take up professional
development programmes.
Educators must keep current on changes in educational rights and
legal developments in special education.
13. Implications of the proposed solution on key
stakeholders:
Understanding specific learning needs of students will help special
educators prepare best suitable teaching strategies for students.
Proposed solution will help stakeholders create safe and accessible
environment for students with SEN.
Students will feel safe, welcomed and be open to learning.
Appropriate preparations and provisions in schools will provide strong
support to students as well as families.
Trained teachers and staff will be able to provide appropriate learning
opportunities to students with SEN.
As stakeholders work in collaboration, they will be able to implement
inclusive education more effectively.
14. Considering Legal, Professional, and Ethical
implications
Every individual has a right to education. Disability must not be seen as a
hindrance in providing equal learning opportunities to students with special
needs.
Though the government is taking measures to implement programmes on
Inclusive Education (slide 11), stronger implementation policies are required.
It might take some time before prominent changes can be seen.
Though Tanzania has joined the goal ‘Education for All’ based on UN
convention on human rights, it is a long way to go. The curriculum does not
fully accommodate children with special needs (http://www.iasintl.org/?p=news&id=235).
Schools need to adapt their curriculum and be more flexible to support
effective learning for students with SEN.
The solution upholds the professional and moral obligations required for all
stakeholders to create a conducive working environment necessary for a
thriving SEN inclusion framework.
15. References:
UNESCO National Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania. (2013-2014).
Tanzania and UNESCO (10 ed.). Tanzania: Ministry of Education, Tanzania.
UNESCO international bureau of education. (2007). Inclusive education Tanzania.
Retrieved from
http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Inclusive_Education/Reports/nair
obi_07/tanzania_inclusion_07.pdf
Greste, P. (2013). Tanzania’s education drive [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7640136.stm