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Florence Wanja Kamonjo Post 1

• 20 February 2021, 5:30 PM

Attitude towards learners with special needs

It is true that many of us teachers believe that learners with special need have low learning capacities hence need to be grouped separately so that they can be given special attention. 

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Sefinat Omuya Post 2 in reply to 1

• 22 February 2021, 12:15 AM

In addition to this,  as teachers we need to change our mindset about preempting the 'learner capacity' of learners with special needs. This is necessary in order to make them feel valued and motivated to learn.

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Simone Campbell-Williams Post 9 in reply to 2

• 11 March 2021, 8:41 AM
Omuga, i would just add love to motivation as well. Learners with special needs need to feel that sense of belonging. You mentioned, about the mindset of the facilitator which is fixed in that case. As facilitators, we need to have growth mindset. which allows us to understand each student needs and for future growth in the teaching and learning arena. These learners need a chance to be in school and be a dominant product in the society.

Nicely put together, Omuga.
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Florence Wanja Kamonjo Post 10 in reply to 9

• 11 March 2021, 10:10 AM

Yes Simone. Learners with special needs deserve to be included because they are human like the other learners. They should feel loved and included in the classroom. 

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Kris Stutchbury Post 3 in reply to 1

• 22 February 2021, 2:13 PM

Sadly, Florence, this is probably true...how do you think this way of thinking can be disrupted?  

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Sefinat Omuya Post 4 in reply to 3

• 23 February 2021, 10:24 PM

Kris, this can be corrected through training, and also bringing professionals together to share information on how to move our teaching forward and to make it inclusive. It can also be done by the government in the form of Policy.

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Florence Wanja Kamonjo Post 8 in reply to 4

• 9 March 2021, 5:41 AM

Correct Omuya. Training is the way out of this and policies to promote inclusive teaching and learning. 

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Cathrine Anyango Osaso Post 5 in reply to 3

• 25 February 2021, 9:08 PM

The same way we are talking about attitude change in children is the same way teachers teachers should change their attitude towards children with special need.

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FLORENCE KISIRKOI Post 6 in reply to 3

• 27 February 2021, 6:49 PM

Kris , I think interacting with people with different special needs could also help one change attitude that they should be kept separate Exposure in a way of integration help discover that apart from the special need they have potential and some very admirable qualities.

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Florence Wanja Kamonjo Post 7 in reply to 3

• 9 March 2021, 5:39 AM

Thank Kris. Through such trainings then their thinking can be disrupted. I held the same notion before I enrolled in this course but I have already had a change of mind. I

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David Ngatia Post 11 in reply to 3

• 11 March 2021, 2:48 PM

Kris, I think this can be corrected by embracing learners with special needs in our mainstream classrooms /schools and capacity building trainings for teachers in Inclusive Education. This would remove the stigma and negative attitudes to learners with special need  by  teachers and other learners.