Train teachers to educate SEND children in India

Rajendra Shukre an honary director of Snehalaya English Medium School, and an advocate of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) training shares with us a saying that he holds dear to him in India: “ You’re not disabled by the disailities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.” What a wonderful and enlightening thought, and at Snehalaya our vision and delivery of education to women and children living in empoversihed conditions in the redlight, slum and rural communities in Ahemednagar India emcompasses the outlook behind this saying. At our school for the deaf and blind- Anemprem, many inspiring phrases are displayed on the wall to move and show the dedication for inclusion within Snehalaya's reach.

Special Educational Provision at Snehalaya’s Educational projects is slowly developing and more and more training is being delivered to our dedicated workforce on this subjet to enable and pursue the skills and talents of all of our students. From the 1^st to 5^th of August 2017, 17 of our teachers working in the English Medium School, Balbhavan slum projects and Anemprem a centre for blind and death youth, took part in a 5 day training programme delivered by a team of teaching and SEND professionals visiting from Daventry Hill Special School in the UK.

We thank you, our supporters, with your help and support through our Global Giving Platform, 15 hour sessions on teaching and learning topics were delivered in English from English Language Learning, behaviour management, child development, the use of visual aids in the classroom, Makaton (Signed Communication) and positive reinforcement. These training sessions were well attended and received by the attendees. In particular, Ashwini a teacher from the English medium school said: “ The sensory training was so interesting to me, it was the first time I had thought about how senses can effect the behaviour of my students. I will be sure to include sensory circuits in my school planning. It is really a new way of looking at the children and their behaviour.”

Since the training Ashwini has done further research herself and is looking into how heavy lifting and heavy jobs can help settle and ground some of the more energetic and sensory seekers in her class- for example Raju a 16 year old boy who does not enjoy school and academic activities. Raju an orphan living in our rehabilitation centre, is one of the most popular boys in school, and can often be found playing cricket, helping the adults and running here there and everywhere. When asked Raju says he doesn't like school because he can't sit still for long enough to concentrate and the teachers get cross with him for fidgeting, leaving his seat or wondering the corridors. Because of this Raju sometimes chooses to miss school and unfortunately misses out on his precious time for education. Now from the training the teachers have the skills and knoweledge to give Raju some energetic activties to help him order and own his energy in a positive way without distracting others around him. Raju loved taking part in the sensory circuits activtiy and after expelling some of that extra energy he was able to sit at his desk for more than 20 minutes! Which is a huge improvement from the 5-10 minutes before. A quote from the training delivered just sums up Raju... "Some of our most talented learners, are the ones who don't fit in the boxes" or in this case, behind desks. Wishing all the best for Raju and his new enjoyment in school.  

Not only for Raju, but the outcome of these activities will be positive towards improving engagement in learning and behaviour amongst the 30 other students in her class. Not only will Ashwini's class benefit from the new ideas, curiosities, outlooks and skills teachers have acquired from the training, but over 300 students enrolled in our school will benefit, 12 students in our blind school and over 2000 children in our slum projects who will receive teaching and learning from the the 17 teachers who attended this training.  

Whilst the three educationalists from the UK were visiting the school and spent time in lessons, they discussed with Prathiba Khengare the headteacher of Snehalaya English Medium School about special educational needs in more depth and gave suggestions and advice on how the school could further develop its reach for those children with learning delays, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalcula. After discussions it was agreed that Prathiba would implement a ‘Nurture Class’ were they would identify students from around the school in all classes, that were not accessing the curriculum as easily as their peers and those that have the educational needs mentioned above and create a new, smaller class. This class will help to give more one to one individualised education and help students to get on track to achieving their academic targets. We look forward to reporting back on this group in our next project report.