"Your right to study" project - Training source teachers

On September 14-15, 2021, ACDC collaborated with ChildFund, National Center for Special Education, Na Ri District Department of Education and Training, Quang Hoa District Department of Education and Training in organizing the online training session on Special teaching for students with intellectual disabilities (SIDs). There were nearly 40 participants, including teachers from Bac Kan Province and Cao Bang Province Educational Centers for Children with Disabilities, representatives of school administrators and key teachers from preschools in the project communes in Quang Hoa District, Cao Bang Province and Na Ri District, Bac Kan Province.

Teachers participated in the online training session on “Special teaching for students with intellectual disabilities”

While working, many teachers have interacted with, taught or are teaching SIDs. Most of them felt confused because they had not known the appropriate teaching methods for the students. Some searched online for information about how to teach SIDs, then tried out suggested methods and skills. They devoted a lot of time and effort to preparing lesson plans and supporting students in class, even providing tutoring outside of school hours. However, students did not make any progress. Those concerns were dealt with during this Training of Teachers (TOT) session.

This is the second training session in a series of 4 topics expected to be held in the third year of the project. During the first and second years, source teachers were equipped with a wide range of knowledge related to (1) disability, legal policies related to inclusive education; (2) identifying children with special education needs; (3) developing, implementing and evaluating individual education plans for children with disabilities; (4) giving instructions on how to operate the inclusive education supporting room; (5) designing and conducting effective lessons.

Teachers shared helpful information about appropriate lessons and teaching methods for SIDs

After attending this training session, participants have improved their knowledge about specific strategies and techniques to teach SIDs in different fields. Accordingly, they could identify appropriate strategies and techniques to teach SIDs, and choose a variety of practical activities to support SIDs in an inclusive preschool environment. Thereby, the quality of core teachers in Quang Uyen District, Cao Bang Province and Na Ri District, Bac Kan Province have been improved.

A teacher said: “During the process of teaching SIDs, I spent a lot of time teaching them, but they were still forgetful, couldn’t remember what they learned and didn’t like to learn. I didn’t know what to do! After being trained, I have known why children don't make progress when they study. I have realized what to do to make them excited at learning.”

Some creative lesson content by the teachers

This training session is one of the key activities within the framework of the “Your Right to Study” project implemented in Quang Hoa District (Cao Bang Province) and Na Ri District (Bac Kan Province) from October 2019 to June 2022. The overall goal of the project is that children with disabilities can live in an inclusive environment and have access to quality education.