Many teachers who may not have had experience with special needs children tend to think of them as slow or struggling learners. This may be so because they tend to focus on the signs or behaviour associated with the disability rather than how to reach and meet the educational need of the child despite what is displayed physically.

Being an ECCE educator and a parent of a special needs child, in my society I have seen many teachers become complacent on the job and having a special needs child in the mainstream classroom just adds to their work load. I had the experience of going to an ECCE centre just like the one I taught at, to register my special needs child, there was a big sign that said “registering now” posted on the front door of the school. However, when I told them that my child is a special needs child, their list became automatically filled even though I told them he will be getting an aid to assist before he begins. The administrator of the school told me that she would speak to her other colleagues to find out if they would have room for him, till this day I never got a response. I tried taking him to school with me but I felt alone in the venture and being totally reliant on me and my own strength it kept me from the effective delivery of my job. Thus, this resulted in me taking him to a private special needs school where I pay monthly fees.

Until there is a positive shift in thinking when it comes to special needs children and their capacity to learn, they will always be at an educational disadvantage. All teachers are capable of meeting the educational needs of special needs children, but structure is lacking, heads of departments only make demands but no time to listen to those on the ground that need support in order to make the change.