Train teachers to educate SEND children in India

The United Nations recognises that persons with disabilities face discrimination and barriers that restrict them from participating in society on an equal basis with others every day. They are denied their rights to be included in the general school system, to be employed, to live independently in the community, to move freely, to vote, to participate in sport and cultural activities, to enjoy social protection, to access justice, to choose medical treatment and to enter freely into legal commitments such as buying and selling property. We are using your donations to fund a strategic plan to train teachers to use new skills to support our learners with extra special needs and bridge the gaps in their life experiences. of our learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

 Prathiba the head teacher at Snehalaya English Medium School said: “At Snehalaya we want to give our students challenged with special, education needs and disabilities within our projects the opportunity for an inclusive education. It’s important to recognise that our children have come from difficult backgrounds and they are not like children in state school, they need to be ready to learn and when I joined the school I recognised that some students weren’t ready to learn, so I sat with them and cuddled them and payed them attention, held their hands and offered emotional support.”

Prathiba has liased with our education advisory board in the UK and in collaboration we have drawn up key areas of focus to deliver specific training to our teachers in India. We have recruited 2 specialist teachers from the UK, Stephany Bundyford and Charlotte Whysall. Who between them have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with children experiencing social, emotional and mental health problems and educational needs and disabilities. In August 2017 your money will fund  their visit to Snehalaya to deliver training and to work in collaboration with our teachers. It is hoped that the visit will engage up to 30 teachers from our schools and other schools in the area to set up a working group of teachers who can begin to lead on their own professional development in SEND and share good practise amongst themselves.

Sarah Stretton the project lead said: “ By deploying specialists to work and share ideas with our teachers in India we are aiming to improve the emotional well-being of up to 2000 students in our projects. We are still in the stages of planning for the project but it is an exciting journey, one that is growing with incredible momentum and support from the global community.”

Sadly girls education remains hindered in India be gender based violence. All donations will receive a 50% match,, meaning your donation will have 50% extra impact. Please give on June 27th through to July 31st!