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Only a few special needs kids go to good schools

School managements need to take swift and focused action to enable others to improve the effectiveness of provision for students with special educational needs.

Dubai - Only a minority of students have access to special needs education provision in Dubai’s private schools that are good or outstanding, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

School managements need to take swift and focused action to enable others to improve the effectiveness of provision for students with special educational needs (SEN) so that all have access to good or better provision. Almost one in five are making unsatisfactory progress.

The authority stated these in the latest report of its Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) for the first time after evaluating the overall effectiveness of provision for SEN in private schools for the past three years (See also page 11).

Providing consistent, appropriate modification and support for students with SEN is a major challenge for schools in Dubai. Improving these two aspects are vital steps that need to be taken now, it said.

Almost all schools admit students with SEN. However each school is at a different point of development, Fatma Belrehif, DSIB director told Khaleej Times. “While some schools are still getting to grips with readiness for SEN provision, others have been doing it successfully for a number of years. “

“Although early indications are that schools have been improving their provision over the past few years, the quality of provision for SEN is still considered to be unsatisfactory in about 19% of schools,” she said.

In its recommendations, the authority called on schools to embrace an inclusive ethos, and demonstrate a commitment to SEN policies and procedures in all phases and classes across schools. sajila@khaleejtimes.com