"There will be times we will try to give it up,
Bursting at the seams, no doubt,
We'll almost fall apart then burn the pieces,
To watch them turn to dust but nothing will ever taint us
I won't go"
Monday, September 26, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
I'm glad that special education is gaining some form of recognition in Singapore, after eons. In so many other countries, special education was developing in the 70's and 80's with the introduction of an inclusive society and education system. Whilst in Singapore, the idea of an inclusive society was only introduced in 2004 when PM Lee announced how we should be open, accepting, inclusive etc..
With that, the only recognised certificate in singapore for special ed teachers: diploma in special education in NIE was started, special schools were funded by the government (or at least partially) to send teachers to receive training, allied educators were introduced to mainstream schools BUT, have we REALLY become an inclusive society?
I still get stared at blankly when i say i am a special education teacher. Often i get a reply "ohh, childcare teacher"
No, i am not a childcare teacher. I am a special education teacher. I educate and empower children with autism and other disabilities with lifelong skills.There IS a difference.
( Do not get me wrong, i love childcare teachers. Or at least the ones who love their job and their kids, which sadly, is a small minority).
My kids (students)still get mocked/stared/gawked at when i bring them out for community living skills, with me standing beside them, in full sight.
I get parents telling me that they feel like such a social recluse. They get rejected when they try to send their kids to enrichment classes. This is enrichment classes that are supposed to serve as a hobby/interest for the child.
Stringent guidelines to get into special schools which are teaching the mainstream curriculum doesnt make it any better.
Honestly, how inclusive have we become?
Kudos to the expansion of Pathlight school and vocational schools e.g. metta, it is about time that this happened.
The government keeps advertising for teachers, MAINSTREAM teachers. Have they seen the lack of recognition of special ed teachers in Singapore?
Yeah, great, mainstream teachers make a huge difference in their kids life and yeah great that ure paying them more to attract graduates, with no passion for teaching into the education system. But why dont u pump that money into increasing the pay of special ed teachers, who work as hard or even harder, tirelessly, trudging on with all that perseverance to get that child to pick up a pencil to write a stroke, a single stroke? Its about time they pegged special ed teachers salaries to those of the mainstream. Its no wonder we lose wonderful special ed teachers every year. 'cos they find better opportunities AND recognition overseas.
In germany and the US, special ed teachers are paid twice as much as mainstream teachers and given even more training as well. When will we ever, EVER reach that state?
I feel for my children, i feel for my fellow colleagues and i am grateful for my lecturers who impart all the skills they can to us. For opening our eyes to the reality of special education in Singapore.
When will we ever be inclusive? Something tells me i wont be sticking around in Singapore to find out.
With that, the only recognised certificate in singapore for special ed teachers: diploma in special education in NIE was started, special schools were funded by the government (or at least partially) to send teachers to receive training, allied educators were introduced to mainstream schools BUT, have we REALLY become an inclusive society?
I still get stared at blankly when i say i am a special education teacher. Often i get a reply "ohh, childcare teacher"
No, i am not a childcare teacher. I am a special education teacher. I educate and empower children with autism and other disabilities with lifelong skills.There IS a difference.
( Do not get me wrong, i love childcare teachers. Or at least the ones who love their job and their kids, which sadly, is a small minority).
My kids (students)still get mocked/stared/gawked at when i bring them out for community living skills, with me standing beside them, in full sight.
I get parents telling me that they feel like such a social recluse. They get rejected when they try to send their kids to enrichment classes. This is enrichment classes that are supposed to serve as a hobby/interest for the child.
Stringent guidelines to get into special schools which are teaching the mainstream curriculum doesnt make it any better.
Honestly, how inclusive have we become?
Kudos to the expansion of Pathlight school and vocational schools e.g. metta, it is about time that this happened.
The government keeps advertising for teachers, MAINSTREAM teachers. Have they seen the lack of recognition of special ed teachers in Singapore?
Yeah, great, mainstream teachers make a huge difference in their kids life and yeah great that ure paying them more to attract graduates, with no passion for teaching into the education system. But why dont u pump that money into increasing the pay of special ed teachers, who work as hard or even harder, tirelessly, trudging on with all that perseverance to get that child to pick up a pencil to write a stroke, a single stroke? Its about time they pegged special ed teachers salaries to those of the mainstream. Its no wonder we lose wonderful special ed teachers every year. 'cos they find better opportunities AND recognition overseas.
In germany and the US, special ed teachers are paid twice as much as mainstream teachers and given even more training as well. When will we ever, EVER reach that state?
I feel for my children, i feel for my fellow colleagues and i am grateful for my lecturers who impart all the skills they can to us. For opening our eyes to the reality of special education in Singapore.
When will we ever be inclusive? Something tells me i wont be sticking around in Singapore to find out.
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