05Feb 2015 by jacqi

Observation is Revelation!

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In the first weeks of January 2015, Sue Bailie, our ECD Project Co-ordinator, visited some of our ECD centres and was excited to see the lengths that Principals and Educators are going to in order to create a supportive learning environment for children.  Here she shares some of her experiences thus far: Carebears ECD Centre [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignright" width="232"] Water Activities at Carebears[/caption] “The Principal’s commitment to her centre is evident in so many ways, for example she made a mosaic of the school’s name. There is a strong sense of community in this school, where the staff members support one another in a meaningful way. When I asked what the nicest thing was that they had experienced in the past two months, almost all of them referred to the…
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23Jan 2015 by jacqi

Connection and Recognition make for a happy space

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IESA would like to commend Iqra, one the Educare centres we currently support (through funding from DSD).  The staff ended 2014 with an Oscar rewards box where they joined in nominating "a staff member of the year". On opening this year the principal took time to welcome each of the staff back with hands as shown in our picture, offering her support. The transitional process for the children was also carefully considered in November 2014.  Groups of children visited their new classes with their names, handed them to their teacher and shook her hand.  The staff also started this year with a meeting to discuss each of the children holistically in order to best support both those who were starting, as well as those who were moving to new groups. We…
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10Oct 2014 by jacqi

2014 Annual Teachers’ Recognition Event

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On 3rd October 2014 Inclusive Education South Africa (IESA) hosted the 4th Annual Commitment to Inclusive Education Recognition Event at The Table Bay Hotel in the Waterfront, Cape Town. The day centred on appreciation for and acknowledgment of teachers and schools who go out of their way to implement good inclusive education practice in their classrooms and school communities. In this way all diverse children, taking into account any barrier to learning they may be experiencing, have a meaningful education. IESA recognises the effort that these teachers are making often in the face of multiple stressors. In her keynote address, Robyn Bath - Director of IESA, spoke to the obstacles that teachers face on their journey of commitment to inclusive education as well as the value that this commitment adds to the…
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04Aug 2014 by jacqi

ECD Practitioner Training

Projects
Funded by the Department of Social Development This project was initiated in response to the need for centre based ECD practitioners to be trained on inclusion, in order to ensure that children are supported when accessing developmentally appropriate programmes that promote their care, protection and development. Many ECD teachers lack the skills necessary for early identification and intervention for young children experiencing barriers to learning and development. In light of this, IESA has introduced an inclusion component to the site learning programmes for ECD practitioners, which takes a holistic approach to children’s growth and development. The levels of ability in children vary immensely, and unless practitioners are equipped to manage this diversity and are skilled in laddering activities, many young children risk facing the possibility of exclusion and needing more serious…
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04Aug 2014 by jacqi

Hopeful!

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A powerful message from two inspirational young men, reminding us all that there is always HOPE! http://youtu.be/yswZoN_jtXU
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01Aug 2014 by jacqi
Namaqua District, Northern Cape – Inclusive Schools Project

Namaqua District, Northern Cape – Inclusive Schools Project

Projects
Funded by HCI Foundation & Old Mutual Foundation The Northern Cape is geographically the largest province in the country, but has only 9 public special schools and only one of these offers Grade 12.  This means that learners requiring high levels of support and even moderate support have to travel unacceptably far distances to access appropriate education settings. This places an even greater burden on the local full service schools. With the lack of capacity for full inclusion, we run the risk of learners not being adequately supported and in turn affect their long-term education journey. The purpose of this project is to strengthen inclusion at 5 identified Full Service Schools in the Namaqua District of the Northern Cape.  Commencing in August 2014, this is a comprehensive 1-year intervention program,…
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01Aug 2014 by jacqi
Kleinsee Inclusive Schools Project

Kleinsee Inclusive Schools Project

Projects
Funded by Ponahalo De Beers Trust Three existing School Campuses located in the town of Kleinsee have been donated by De Beers Consolidated Mines Trust to the Northern Cape Education Department for the establishment of an inclusive public school. All parties desired to see it used to service the educational needs of children in the Namaqua district who have not previously had access to more intensive support and alternative education streams. The need for an inclusive school to provide quality educational opportunities not only for the local Kleinsee children but also for learners in the Namaqua District requiring higher level support needs was identified and the Ponahalo De Beers Trust engaged our services to consult with the role players and facilitate the development of a model for the school, as…
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