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Inclusion: theory and practice : Children, Disability and Development - Achievement and Challenge. Contents
A Save the Children Fund global seminar to learn from experience and maximise impact - Extract from Conference Report - April 13th - 22nd 1994
Facilitator: Vic Finkelstein
Aim of session:
To provide a complete contrast to
the structured, content-centred nature of the sessions which preceded and which
were to follow. Vic Finkelstein stated that there were to be 'no objectives or
goals, the aim was solely to explore issues and confusion was part of this
process'.
Summary:
The initial discussion focused on the
question 'what is education' and the key points arising highlight the paradox
of education very effectively: on the one hand, the passing down of
cultural/tradition/universal values is seen as integral to education, but on
the other hand, we expect educational institutions to challenge the status quo.
Discussion also focused on issues surrounding education for disabled children -
is there a difference? Some people immediately started talking in terms of
'special education'; there was a consensus that the aims of education are the
same for disabled and non-disabled children, although the processes and content
may differ. The debate moved on to the pros and cons of positive discrimination
and special treatment of disabled children.
Not everybody was comfortable with this format; some found it frustrating and did not feel that they had benefited from it. Others were at home with confusion and enjoyed the challenge. However, the different levels of experience and understanding of English meant that not everyone really understood what was being talked about, and in that sense the session failed to respond to group diversity.
Inclusion: theory and practice : Children, Disability and Development - Achievement and Challenge. Contents
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19/11/1997