Juan Ameen
Special schools to be reformed
The four state schools for disabled children will no longer work alone but will be transformed into coordinated centres that will each offer a different phase of primary to post-secondary education.
San Miguel, Helen Keller, Guardian Angel and Dun Manwel Attard would be incorporated within the college system, according to a proposed reform of special needs schools launched last week.
The number of students attending special schools has gone down because more have been included in mainstream education.
All together, there are 16 students aged between four and 10 in the four schools, 78 students aged between 11 and 15, while 100 students are aged 16 and over.
The reform document notes that, currently, each of the four schools has to cater for the different levels of education - primary, secondary and post-secondary - putting a strain on specialisation and resources.
Educational Services Directorate director general Micheline Sciberras said 0.36 per cent of students attended special schools.
However, under the present system, students attending the four schools did not experience the different phases and the transition, say, between primary and secondary school.
There were also insufficient opportunities for students, teachers and other support staff to liaise with mainstream schools and to share good practices and experiences, she said.
The reform proposes that San Miguel will be transformed into a school focusing on primary education, Guardian Angel on secondary, Helen Keller on post-secondary and Dun Manwel Attard into a young adult education resource centre.
Through the re-organisation some students would have to move school but the move would be carefully monitored and planned out with family and professionals.
Education Minister Dolores Cristina said this reform was the next logical step in progress towards inclusive education.
The present system had a lot of positive elements with many disabled students being in mainstream education, she said.
The reform, which should get underway in the next scholastic year, is expected to take at least two years to be fully implemented. A consultation period on the reform will end on August 15.
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J Callus
Jul 13th 2009, 19:24
Is it true that there is no internet service in any class room at Dun Manwel Attard?
MARIO SCHIAVONE
Jul 13th 2009, 13:59
With reference to the comment by L. Zammit one should note that Mater Dei and St. Patrick's Craft Centre cater for students with challenging behaviour. The Education Act and Government-MUT reform agreement provides for the setting up of Learning Support Centres .These two schools will form part of the reform focusing on the setting up of Learning Support Zones and Learning Support Centres. They will not be transformed into Resource centres and as will eventually happen with the other four special schools. Thus they have not been included in the special schools reform.
m.portelli
Jul 13th 2009, 13:03
Where will the specialised teachers be placed now? Is this reform going to mean that a mega centralised special education centre will come to effect directing all? Specialist training assumes that specialist teachers will be on hand to provide specialist teaching. How will students who have particular and specialised needs be catered for otherwise? Is the Directorate for Student Services saying that the student population in special schools is homogenous???? It seems we have done the full circle now!! Has any one done the logistics for transforming schools to cater for the whole spectrum of special needs? These proposed reforms are reflecting muddled and clueless thinking, when is the Education division going to get one right ?
frans borg
Jul 13th 2009, 11:27
could anyone forward the link to the proposed document? special schools? resources centres? what about gozo's special unit? what about mater dei and st patricks? so these schools will be hosting different students with diverse abilities. are the schools equipped with relevant resources for these needs? pools. mulit sensory etc? i doubt it.....
please forward link re reform, i could not find it in the education official web.
tnks
m.portelli
Jul 13th 2009, 10:52
Do tell us why you’ve revised the school leaving age from 18 to 22 again ? Is it to cater for those students who have no where to go after their 'inclusive' stint in secondary schools? Is this the way forward for inclusion? I also note that these schools are being referred to as special schools again. I also notice that Dun Manwel Attard school at Wardija is being proposed as a young adult resource centre. How do you propose to do community based training at Wardija unless you are ready to fork out great sums in transport? I think the person doing the logistics assumed Wardija was Rabat or Mgarr! Alternatively he/she assumed a resource centre in this case meant something like a 'library' where you can borrow things.Is the Directorate for Student Services setting up a simulated village environment at Wardija per chance?
NB
What about those students not yet 22 who are already placed in an adult training centre will they benefit from this reform, will they be given this opportunity to attend a 'post secondary' 'special school'?
L. .Zammit
Jul 13th 2009, 09:42
Why four special schools ? As far as I know there is Mater Dei school at Msida ,catering for boys with behaviour problems. What is the future for this school ? Is it possible the Minister concerned is not aware of Mater Dei ?