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Rose Nyambura Post 1

• 14 April 2021, 7:56 PM

Inclusive ethos and culture

There is this school where Iam a member of Board of Management. We receiveved a new principal last year who introduced something new to the school- rewarding best improved (not top performers) student in academics and discipline. This sounded strange but it has surprised most in just one year. Even those students that teachers thought were incapacitated in various ways have shown tremendous improvement. Recognising individual efforts lead to development of positive attitude by both teachers and students which is very important in creating an inclusive school. 

I also recall one incidence that happened 20 years ago when I was a class teacher in high school. This mother brought a small small girl to be admitted in Form one ( she was 14 years but her growth hormones had stalled and she looked 6 years old or so ). They came with an equally small desk and chair ( they were certain the girl would not get an appropriate sitting arrangement). On admission, the mother insisted I take her to class with her daughter and she carried the desk and the girl carried the chair. They went and placed it at the front of the class and just next to the teachers table. Talk of being assertive! Nobody dared make fun of that girl for the four years she was in that school. Teachers and students respected and included her in all school activities. Parents play a major role in the success of inclusive ethos and culture.

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David Ngatia Post 2 in reply to 1

• 14 April 2021, 8:08 PM

Thank you Rose for sharing the experience. Inclusive education require collaborative efforts of all stakeholders

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Doyla Forman Post 3 in reply to 1

• 15 April 2021, 8:06 PM

1.5 creating an inclusive ethos and culture

I must say that you response in the first paragraph really caught my attention as I know that rewarding children who are not top performers but simply rewarding children who tries and make little efforts plays a huge role in moving forward. This is something of which I think can be adopted for those who respect children with disabilities.

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Joan Moses Post 4 in reply to 1

• 15 April 2021, 8:29 PM

Thanks for sharing this experience. At  my present school we do something similar. There is a reward system for high achievers and honor roll students. We also reward those who are most improved in each class and this motivates the other students to do well even though they may not be high achievers or honor roll students. I also believe that parents play a huge role in school ethos. At my school , we have seen that the students who are performing the best are those who have the most support from their parents and whose parents are in support of the school. I recently got a new student in my class who is autistic. This course could not come at a better time. His parents are fully supportive and are willing to work with me so that I can do my best with him. It is a united effort. I look forward to the rest of this course! 

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Kris Stutchbury Post 5 in reply to 4

• 15 April 2021, 9:47 PM

Thank you for sharing this Joan. We would be interested to hear about your progress with your autistic student. 

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Sigrid Hamilton Post 6 in reply to 1

• 16 April 2021, 1:14 AM

Thanks for sharing Rose. I admire how assertive the parent was and that her daughter was able to complete her education and be included in all school activities. I believe more parents should imitate this behaviour in a respectable manner as every child has the right to an education.

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Pauline Vaughan Post 7 in reply to 1

• 16 April 2021, 3:35 AM

Thank you for sharing your experience with us Rose. I feel that rewarding those that have improved instead of just the top performers does sound like something that would definitely motivate and improve the culture towards inclusive education in schools. 

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Kimberly Ollivierre-Contero Post 8 in reply to 1

• 22 April 2021, 4:22 PM

Great initiative

Thank you Rose for sharing. I really admire the initiative of rewarding best improved students as this will act as a form of motivation for these students. I also support your notion that parents do play a crucial role in the success of inclusive ethos and culture. 

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Victoria Gongora Post 9 in reply to 1

• 22 April 2021, 8:59 PM

The most improved student is good idea. I need to read more about what type of improvements can be measured since this is a great motivational tool.

Parents do play one of the most significant role in school ethos. We need then to help us all the way!

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Abby Thomas-Lalla Post 10 in reply to 1

• 22 April 2021, 10:46 PM

Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes I agree rewarding children help boost their confidence and attitude towards what they want to achieve in life. I also commend that mother who believed her child deserves an education and was very assertive in her approach to her daughter's education despite her deficiency.