Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL Inclusive education with limited resources The case of LAO PDR

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Inclusive education with limited resources

The case of LAO PDR

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Disabled children and educationworld wide

• 2% School enrolment of boys and girls

• Very high drop out and repetition rate

• Factors keeping disabled children out of school

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Interest of Governments to ensure education for all

If disabled children stay out of school:

• Education for All 2015 is impossible

• Poverty Reduction does not succeed

• Children’s rights are violated

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Interest of donor community to welcome disabled children in school

If the education sector excludes disabled children:

• The Global Campaign on Education will not succeed

• The burden of dependency deepens at the family and State level

• Governments can not ensure Education for All

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Popular assumptions keeping disabled children out of school

• Disabled children need protection• Disabled children can’t learn• Disabled children slow down other learners • Education of disabled children is:

- a waste of resources

- not a priority

- too difficult

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Inclusive education in LAO PDRwhat does it mean

• Integrated education – the child has to adjust to an existing school system and structure

• Inclusive education – is about creating a learning environment and enabling children to learn based on capacities

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Stage I (1990-1993) Research:

• Key causes for non-enrolment

• Key causes for high drop-out

• Reasons for poor quality of education

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Stage II (1993—1995) Pilot Project IE

Aim:

• Increase access to basic education

• Reduce drop-out and repetition

• Raise the levels of achievement

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Approach of IE Project:

• Improve quality of teaching

• Develop welcoming schools

• Develop strong links with community

• Guide children to respect difference

• Raise public awareness about IE

• Develop pre-schools for early entry & identification & preparation of children

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Stage III-IV (1995-2000-2005) The National Experiment and Expansion

Results:

• 3 IE schools functioning in every district

• Pre schools raise learning achievement

• Children enter, stay and succeed in IE

• Disabled children are visible, valued, participate in child & community events

• Disabled children have self-esteem

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Lessons learned in IE in LAO PDR

• Ongoing training for teachers

• Balance of children in the classroom

• Support & Referral system for schools

• Managing IE as national strategy to achieve education for all

• How to keep pace with demand

• Inclusive Education benefits all children

Marlies van der Kroft GUSHI.NL

Challenges for the future in LAO PDR

• Training of qualified teachers

• Inbuilt monitoring & information systems

• Turn over of education officials

• How to keep an open mind to continue learning in inclusive education