The Programme for Inclusive Education in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, is organising a one-day seminar on Tuesday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., in GW 205. The seminar is entitled "Building inclusive classrooms and schools". What can we do to make our school function for all children?

In his evaluation of inclusive education in Norway, Professor Peder Haug, from the Faculty of Education at Volda University College, says that from remarks like "This child does not fit in my school" teachers are asking "What shall we do to make school function for this child?". Basically one is asking, how can we build an inclusive classroom and school where each child participates, learns and belongs? Research shows that a whole school approach needs to be taken for inclusion to be implemented, and this can only happen with the full participation of the school management team.

This seminar is aimed at heads and assistant heads of schools in order for them to understand the major issues of inclusive education (Education for all, not only the inclusion of children with disability) and ways of how to empower themselves and their teachers and facilitators to create inclusive classroom communities where all can learn together.

Participants will discuss inclusion and exclusion issues in the classroom, be introduced to person-centred approaches and their usefulness (MAPS, IEP), understand the meaningfulness of creating universal design for teaching, understand how to negotiate an IEP between parents, educators, students and professionals and discuss how to create and evaluate inclusive policies in the school.

Further information is available from the Programme for Inclusive Education on 2340-2928 or by e-mail: stefania.micallef@um.edu.mt.