DHARAMSHALA: The Department of education organized a workshop on Inclusive Education for teachers at Peace House, Tibetan Children Village, Dharamsala from August 1 – 6, 2016. There were total of 24 participants and of which 2 were from Tibetan homes foundation, 13 were from Sambhota Tibetan Schools, 8 were from Tibetan Children Village School and one from Ngoenga Special School.

The purpose of the workshop is that we have a diverse background of children in our schools and it’s important and always better to have all the children learning together regardless of their background (gender, ability etc). It values diversity and every child feels safe and learns together.

From this workshop teachers learned the better way of responding to the needs of all children specially children who have learning problems and behavior issues. Respect and understanding grows when children with diverse abilities play, learn and socialize together. It also helps in developing the inclusive society when education is more inclusive.

The quality education is only complete when it meets the needs of every child.

The workshop was conducted by our resource person Ms. Diana Lil Philip, Asst professor from Amity University, Delhi and Ms Dechen Dolma, special educator from Secunderabad. During the workshop, the participants learned how to assess the children with learning problem, behavior modification, how to make teaching learning material for special needs children, different ways to help children with learning problem, remedial and introduction on preparing IEP. Then the teachers had a very active discussion on different cases of special need children in their schools and learned different ways to help them.

Each participant was given the Grade Level Assessment Device (GLAD) book to take back to their schools to help the academically challenge children.

For the Valedictory function we have chief guest Dr. Ngawang Rabgyal la, Secretary, Department of education. He stressed the importance of inclusion in education to meet the needs of every child. Teachers has to help the special children with the understanding of child’s emotional and psychological perspective. The best gift to the children is educating them with love and compassion. So the teachers has to used different ways of responding to the academically challenge children. He mentioned four important roles that every Tibetan should keep in mind i.e. moral values, compassionate person, altruistic and being honest.

This was followed by the distribution of certificates to the participants by the Chief Guest. And giving HH Book “Beyond religion” as a token on gift to the resource persons by Chief counselor Ms. Dolker Wangmo la.

Ms. Tenzin Paldon, Inclusive Education Officer (DoE) proposed a word of thanks. She on behalf of the DOE, CTA expressed heartfelt gratitude to DFATD, Canada for funding the workshop.

– Report filed by Department of Education –