H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al-Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council, visited yesterday the training workshop conducted at Al-Mawahib Model School for principals which focused on the integration of SN students into Abu Dhabi schools. The workshop comes as part of ADEC’s “Qiyada” program which aims to improve & develop school leadership skills, potentials and capabilities. Dr. Al-Khaili was accompanied by Mohammad Salem Al-Dhaheri, Executive Director of School Operations, Dr. Saleh Al-Hashemi, Professional Development Division Manger and Mrs. Fatima Al-Hosani, acting principal of Al-Mawahib Model School.
Dr. Al Khaili emphasized the importance of national educators in the development of education and their role in preparing highly qualified students who are capable of joining higher education institutions and competing in the labor market. He called on school managements to play their leading role in raising the performance levels at their schools in order to achieve educational outcomes that would meet the highest international standards
He said that “ADEC is keen to ensure that all students are given equal opportunities to develop and best exploit their talents, skills and abilities. Integrating our SN students into Abu Dhabi schools is an essential component of ADEC’s 10-year strategic plan for developing the educational system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi”.
Dr. Al-Khaili emphasized that ADEC is aware of all school challenges related to the integration process and its requirements, especially in terms of the need to increase the number of qualified special education teachers and the necessity to provide the required curriculum and assessment tools in order to achieve ADEC’s integration goals and targets. Dr. Al-Khaili pointed out that ADEC will spare no effort to provide schools with their requirements to ensure SN students needs and welfare are appropriately addressed.
Dr. Al-Khaili said that school leaderships and managements play a major role in implementing ADEC’s plans and programs aiming at developing education and improving student performance to meet the highest international standards. “Schools are required to have better communication channels with parents to encourage them involve more in supporting their children’s learning and teaching” , he added.
Dr. Saleh Al-Hashemi, who has been recently representing ADEC in UNESCO’s China Education Development Forum, briefed the principals of all updates concerning improvement of the quality of education. He indicated that the workshop will start in Al Ain Schools on Wednesday and in Al Gharbia next week.
Dr. Al-Khaili indicated that 1500 students with learning and speech difficulties have been integrated into Abu Dhabi public schools over the last two years, to add to 616 students with visual, hearing, physical and mental impairments and those who suffer from autism and hyperactivity who had been transferred to schools earlier.
ADEC has supplied these students with advanced educational tools and learning aids in addition to allocating 50 buses specifically designed for the transportation of physically impaired students. Moreover, school buildings & facilities have been modified to facilitate their education and enable them to interact positively and ideally with the surrounding learning environment”.
“Students with special needs are increasingly and continuously supported by ADEC one year after another. Five special education classrooms for deaf students have been opened this year across ADEC schools. Special education classroom assistants have been introduced for the first time to help educate students with severe and moderate disabilities”, Dr. Al Khaili concluded.
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