The project "Promoting Pre-School Inclusion" (Lancaster and District) believes that (Vision):
Every child is entitled to learn with peers of their own age, within their local community, to attend the local pre-school and have their needs met with no extra cost to their parents or carers.
The aims and objectives (Mission) of the project (PSI) are mainly to assist children who have additional needs via a continually developing volunteer network and provide support for the children, their families, volunteers and staff so that all can have a positive self-concept and self-esteem. The project also aims to establish and maintain working partnerships with parents/carers, pre-school eligible providers and other organisations with the intention of supporting an individual child's optimum potential and, to enable all pre-schools to meet the needs of children of a whole spectrum of abilities.
Basically, one of the children in Lancaster was identified as a child having additional needs. He was assimilated into a normal pre-school environment (Lancaster University pre-school) and allowed to interact with his peers. However, since more attention has to be devoted to him, volunteers are required to watch over the rest of the children and to assist the pre-school carers in administering to his needs. i was attached to the pre-school for 10 weeks and had the chance to interact with him and the other children. it was indeed a fulfilling experience in more senses than one.
Volunteers are not expected to work only with the one child on the project but also with the other children because it is important that the child has access to the same activities and experiences as any other child, which includes relating to adults. As far as i understand, children in Singapore who are born with dysfunctions are identified at an early age, isolated from their "normal" peers and placed in "special" schools. i never really thought there was anything irregular with that until i embarked on this project. Why has there a distinction between average and slightly disadvantaged children? All kids do indeed deserve equal access to all activities available. well, some may argue that disadvantaged children will develop better in a "special" environment in that they would receive more attention (or "better treatment" if u may) and will be able to reach their full potential. However, i believe taking the child out of an environment he/she rightfully deserves is a poor idea - it is discrimination.
Firstly, it elevates the psychological effect/stress (self-esteem, morale, confidence etc)on the child's parents; if having a less-than-average child is not enough; the child is isolated from the normal kids. i'm sure it is every parent's wish to see their child interacting well with his/her peers whether or not he/she is disadvantaged, receiving the same reactions from peers/adults.
Secondly, The costs of the "special" environment "necessary" is also higher and it is not fair for the child's parents to bear extra costs because the child's disability was uncalled for. This increases the financial burden on the family - the cost of placing the child in a special school could be in addition to the extra medical costs they are already bearing. (Even though so-called financial schemes are drawn up for families facing financial difficulty, extra costs are still incured.)
Thirdly, the average singaporean child would be painting a very beautiful picture of life and society and will inevitably grow up to be biased (of varying degrees) against disadvantaged children/persons upon discovery that they actually exist.
Fourthly, it isolates the kid from society. "Isolation breeds deceitfulness" applies in both cases (the isolated kid and the average children are 'deceived' in a sense).
Solution: Align singapore's method(s) of dealing with the issue-at-hand with that of the pre-school inclusion project!!
'Why is this good/better?' question answered:
=> Parents are comforted that their children are exposed to similar environments as their peers. Children are able to learn from their more-able peers, which has been shown to be an effective way of learning.
=> Decreases financial burden on the family
(read vision of PSI - no extra cost)
=> Average children:
(1) Have the opportunity to interact with the less-abled children and would have better moulded characters, have hearts that are helpful, compassionate and sharing. (I'm not saying that this is not possible with the current system but the proposed method would be more ideal in achieving the same effect, if not more.)
(2) Are exposed to the "real world" and learn to love and accept people for who they are and what not - of course the teachers have to believe this themselves and at the same time instill that kind of values in the children.
=> Children with additional needs are 'more integrated' into society - which is precisely what everyone deserves/chooses to be.
=> Children with additional needs will also be able to reach their full potential (getting the best of both worlds).
I believe one of the main reasons why the Singaporean government decided to employ this method was purely to save costs above all the other reasons they gave (more attention, better learning facilities etc), so as to shift the focus of the public eye away from $$ - just like the CASINO-integrated resort projects. It is an undisputable fact that it is more economical to congregate disadvantaged children in one location rather than them being dispersed - Facilities are shared, carers can multi-task etc (cost-saving measures). Better "treatment/attention" in a special school? The SAME can be done in a local environment. It is a matter of the willingness to do so.
I might be naive to think that the majority of the public would agree with me on this. Afterall, the current generation was brought up with singapore's current method in place (disadvantaged children learning in separate environments), and hence see no need and probably have no desire as well, for change. Besides, taking the disadvantaged children out of their would-be learning environments if they were normal just makes singapore society even more "Perfect", doesn't it? (i'm not bothered by the fact that i sound biased here).
Suggestion: Have a large pre-school in each constituency that boasts all facilities/well-trained personnel required. Having one school in each constituency is not too much to ask - i'm not suggesting equipping every single pre-school in singapore with the necessities.
All this sounds so utopic but nothing is impossible. And, if there is anything in this article that diverges from this utopic ideal (in my definition), it is probably because i was brought up in singapore.
Side thought: Why can't the NUS Non-Discrimination Statement apply in this case as well? A little bit far-fetched but u get the idea.
Taken from http://www.nus.edu.sg/corporate/nondiscrim.htm:
Non-discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the National University of Singapore to comply with all Singapore nondiscrimination laws and the relevant Singapore government policies. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities. Complaints of invidious discrimination prohibited by University policy are to be resolved within existing University procedures.
*note: please don't reprimand me on the use of language in reference to children with additional needs. my vocab is just too limited and certain words may be offensive to some. =)
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
cheers*
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