Our Commitment to Inclusive Education
We all wish we could wave a wand and make inclusive classrooms an immediate reality. But the process is not easy or simple. The sustainable inclusion of disabled children in mainstream classrooms requires research, time, and a responsiveness and adaptability of approach. Most importantly, helping children to flourish in education requires an acknowledgment of the individual - no two people are the same, and nobody’s educational needs are the same. With that in mind, EmbraceAbility aims to establish a range of services on Koh Dach in 2021 in order to make education truly inclusive. The launch of our After-School Programme last year saw huge success with the retention of disabled children in classrooms with their peers. Tailored to the needs of disabled children who attend school, we want to go further to support them in their learning during this transformative time in their community educational setting.
The future of inclusive education on Koh Dach Island
EmbraceAbility is currently fundraising in order to open Koh Dach Island’s first Community Daycare and Rehabilitation Centre. This centre will be a safe space in which 32 disabled children will have access to therapy, education and support. It will also serve as a central location for community education initiatives - at the top of our list is inclusivity training for local teachers on the island. We intend to give teachers on-site mentors who can offer perspectives from Special Educational Needs, Occupational Therapy and Social work. We deem this a very important endeavour in the interest of sustainability; developing the skills of existing teachers, already well-regarded and trusted in their communities, provides a community with an educational resource that is inexhaustible and accessible to those who have previously been excluded.
In the lead-up to the opening of EmbraceAbility’s Daycare Centre and sustainable training initiatives, we have emphasised and worked hard to build the capacity and societal participation of children with disabilities and their families on Koh Dach Island. An essential part of our work so far has been the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream schooling, yielding significant results. To date, EmbraceAbility has successfully facilitated the integration of 5 children with disabilities into state school classrooms.
While we are proud of this achievement, our focus is now the retention of these students in their classrooms. To that end, our After-School Programme offers flexible and individualised lessons that help our beneficiaries keep up with their curriculum. We acknowledge that children are differential learners. In this smaller setting, our staff and volunteers take time to identify appropriate learning styles with focused attention and care.
With this programme, we hope that children can go back to their classrooms with a greater sense of confidence and get more enjoyment from the school experience with their peers. A new idea in Koh Dach classrooms, we acknowledge that educational inclusivity will take time before it is considered the norm, with teachers taking the lead with the appropriate tools and skills. For now, it is imperative that the children making their start in state school classrooms are thriving and visible to those around them. These little pioneers will be the first in demonstrating a learning environment that is accepting and tolerant to all people, disabled or otherwise. For those that cannot attend mainstream schooling yet, EmbraceAbility will be there to provide a tailored education suited to them with all the support they need at our new Community Daycare and Rehabilitation Centre.
To help us as we take these important steps towards an inclusive future for the people of Koh Dach, donate to our Crowdfunder campaign here. Thank you.