On 2nd December, both boys’ schools were delighted to host a visit by a delegation from the Higher Council for Affairs of Persons with Disabilities from Jordan. The visit was organised through the National Disability Authority (NDA) with the collaboration of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The delegation was accompanied to the School by staff from the NCSE.
The purpose of the visit to the schools was to observe first-hand inclusive practice in action. Their visit commenced with a visit to a junior infant and a first class to observe how a special needs assistant (SNA), acting under the direction of the class teacher, supports a child with special educational needs to access the curriculum at his level and how differentiation by the teacher maximises success for such children
After the delegation left us here, they did a similar observation in the Senior Boys’ School, again to see inclusive practice with older children.
Special education in Jordan is in its infancy. His Royal Highness the exiled Prince Mired of Iraq informed us that 97% of children and young people with special educational needs do not attend school.
At a subsequent meeting with the staff who were involved from both schools, the delegation took soundings both from teachers and SNAs present as well as from the Head of Policy, the Area Manager of the NCSE in Dublin and the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) of the school.
School staff impressed upon the group that inclusion, fully supported by trained and committed ancillary staff, was a very attainable- indeed necessary- objective for their country. and one for which they should strive.
The visitors were
From Jordan-
From the NCSE-
St. John the Baptist Junior Boys' School
Seafield Road
Clontarf
Dublin 3
T: 01 8336539
E: info@belgrovejbs.ie
