In line with its policy of constantly upgrading a teacher's skill in teaching, St. George's School, Bandar Seri Begawan, held a Staff Development Program for the teachers and staff on Friday 7 March 2014 at the school.
Ms Lovella G. Depala, PT, a program coordinator for 'Early Years, Middle and Upper Class' from Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al Hajjah Maryam, delivered a very informative session on 'Inclusion of Students with Additional Needs in the General Education Classroom'. Teachers and staff were informed of the need for inclusion of all children and the educating of children with disabilities with children who are without. The need for inclusion was pointed out by Ms Lovella due to laws and policies and with the objective of promoting harmony. She explained the Categories of Disabilities under IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The teachers and staff were also shown how to prepare a Plan for Inclusion and Ms Lovella ended her session by outlining the impact of effective inclusion practices on the student, teacher, parent, school and the community.
Another invited speaker, Ms Pamela Barrand, spoke on the developments at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al Hajjah Maryam and the resourcefulness of the teachers there. She gave an insight on the practices that are currently in place at the centre and motivated the audience with her personal experiences working in the library at the centre and thoughts on how to be an effective teacher. She spoke on 'not lowering the teachers' expectations but changing their expectations'. Teachers were advised to be creative in their approach and to collaborate with each other for the benefit of the children.
The session ended with the speakers answering some questions from the floor.