Inclusive education in China
On the first day afternoon, we visited a mainstream primary school in Chongning town, Pi County, Chengdu. As one of the 5 pilot regular schools in the county to provide inclusive education, this school established its own resource room under Save the Children support. Resource room/center, a Chinese approach to implement inclusive education, has advantages on low capital and resources demands. The school currently has 6 students with special needs, and all of them are well cared by teachers and students.
To provide inclusive education, a primary school has many tasks to do to improve both hardware and software. For example, a resource room and facilities for disabilities shall be available in place; the layout of classrooms would have to be redesigned; all teachers and students shall be trained to know how to handle possible special cases; IEP (Individual education plan) shall be set up for student with disability; etc.
One special course is performed at Grade 5 to improve students Emotion Quotient. Such courses are provided once per week. In the courses, one student with disability participates a game, which aims to establish team spirit. Such courses are warmly welcomed by students.
Thereafter, for our better understanding to the progress of the project, a meeting with school’s headmaster and relevant teachers are held. The headmaster and teachers shared information to us, about their experiences, challenges, and further action plans.
Last daily class in the school is called activity class. Based on their interesting, students can choose many courses, such as, handwriting, drawing, musical instrument playing, embroidery, etc. we get opportunity to see the school’s ceremonial band performed a show.
