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This is a very important question for the future of teacher training. Special Education as we know it came out of an historical context with its range of theories, assumptions, practices and tools. Many people and organisations had a vested interest in the area of special education. When the late President Nelson Mandela appointed a commission to investigate education support services in South Africa people who were beneficiaries of special education, parents and non-governmental organisations indicated that special education did not benefit them sufficiently particularly when it came to enjoying the benefits of mainstream economic and social life after they finished school. That is if they finished their schooling. In South Africa and in the rest of the world Inclusive Education has become a dominant philosophy. The Inclusive Education movement has gained substantial momentum over the last two or three decades. The Salamanca Statement set the the key parametres for inclusive education. Concerning this question, yes, special education should be taught in every graduate and post-graduate course. Teachers should be exposed to disability specific training. Every teacher should have the option of choosing a specific area. In this main learners can be taught at any school and preferably the neighoburhood school. There is always the argument that how can , for example, blind learners learn at a mainstream school. It must be noted that there is a lot of vested interests in special education. There are many people and organisations that want to hold onto power. In any country in the world, one has to ask the question, how many blind learners are there? How many learners with other disabilities are there. Finally, we need to note the number of schools there are. In the majority of cases disabiled learners make up2-3% of the schooling population. However, special education is not only about disability. It is also about learners who experience a number barriers to learning. This includes language, parental involvement, poverty and other barriers which impacts on a learners success. The discuourse of barriers to learning shoul be included in every teaching training course. In this way more learners will succeed in schools.
trainig is necessary for every teather to have experience
I'm sure he will gain the skills needed It is certainly not in the one field, but in all fields and in all parts of his career, social and other
Well it always can be handy if a teacher has certain knoweldge regarding special education but it is not all the essential, at university level. Yes, for teachers of primary and secondry level I think it is one of the most important skill they should have under their sleves. But since I am associated with the teaching of University level i don't think it can be of much benefit there.
yes, of course
Training is always an advantage for teachers as long as it gives them more knowledge and keeps them up to date with the latest theories and practices of the world whatever they teach.
Ghadeer I definitely feel that all teachers should have a basic understanding of "special needs" education so that they are aware of the difficulties and problems that can be associated with it. However the "special education" spectrum is so broad that unless a teacher intends to specialise in that field there is too much to cover over and above their own subjects. I feel that a "broadbrush" programme which includes the fundamental problems that teachers could face in special education would be of benefit to all teachers and prepare them for every eventuality.
John Dewey identified the overt link between the role of schooling and preparation for being a valuable contributor to society and all societies have any number of people with special needs present in it. Therefore it is incumbent on all educators to be aware of how to meet the special needs learner 'where they learn' and how to prepare all students for the joyous experience of supporting people with special needs. The way in which all of us treat and support people who through no fault of their own are less fortunate than ourselves is surely the measure of how advanced our society/culture is. All teachers should not only be aware of the what, how and why of teaching special needs students but should see these skills as invaluable for teaching all students.
f course, so they can have an clear idea about the basic needs and how to deliver the course and make the ideas clear and easier to undrestand for students.
