Baksh assures…

MINISTER Shaik Baksh has emphasised that one of the goals of his ministry’s strategic plan is to ensure that the concept of inclusive education is realised.
Addressing concerns about the provision of programmes for differently abled children in the school system, at his 2010 year end press conference last Friday, he pointed out that there are special units, established at various schools across the country, to address their needs.
“We do have special programmes set up for these children and our Education Strategic Plan also addresses this,” Baksh said, adding: “We have a coordinator, who was appointed in 2009 and has been working. She has submitted a policy document for the differently able and now comes under the Deputy Chief Education Officer’s administration.”
Mr. Baksh said this is an area of inclusive education and the ministry will continue to pay special attention to the training needs of those schoolchildren.
”There are special needs schools to cater for these students and addressing their needs is another area which will also be focused on in 2011,” he maintained.
Baksh said the promotion of acceptable behaviours in schools is another area of paramount importance for the ministry in this New Year.
He noted that two national symposiums were held last year, at the International Convention Centre, to deal with the issue of violence in schools and they were attended by hundreds of stakeholders.
“The ten-point plan was outlined to ensure that the situation would be stabilised and, eventually, improved. This has worked in 2010,” Baksh assured.
He said, among the implemented initiatives, is the Mentoring Programme, through which community members become involved in guiding students from specifically identified schools.
“Twelve schools have been identified and community members are engaged in mentoring students and, in addition to this, the ministry has also initiated the Guidance and Counselling Programme,” Baksh announced.
He disclosed that there are plans to expand this process, as it had been quite successful last year, in several schools where there were difficulties.
In addition, Schools Councils have also been established to further empower children within the school system.
“We want more participation in this area and we have to conduct training programmes in schools, lest the students misunderstand what the councils are about,” he stated.