Inclusive Education

Addressing the social and cultural challenges confronting our education system is still top of the list before any real traction can be made with other issues begging for educators’ attention. That was one of the main messages to emerge from the Education Leaders Forum in Rotorua this week.

Mental health providers are encouraged to put forward innovative bids to run a pilot programme to provide free counselling for 18 to 25 year olds as part of new Government initiative.

Two special schools will be rebuilt at a cost of $23 million, Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin has announced.

This week is Gifted Awareness Week, and organisations, students, teachers and families are eager to hear how the Coalition Government will deliver on its promises to improve gifted education in New Zealand.

Schools are pleased with the increase in funding across five learning support initiatives.

A University of Auckland professor of disability studies and inclusive education argues for a total rethink of the purpose of education to inform Tomorrow’s Schools Review.

A new Pukekohe West primary school will include a unit for blind and low-vision students.

The Government is poised to make changes to provide better screening and support for children with dyslexia, reports JODY HOPKINSON.

New Zealand has one of the most inclusive education systems in the world. Research shows we are better at including students with special educational needs in mainstream classrooms than most other countries. Yet the stats, international assessment rankings and anecdotal evidence show that we’re not so crash-hot when it comes to meeting the needs of our priority learners and our students with special educational needs. JUDE BARBACK asks why.

As the Government announces an inquiry into mental health and addiction services, education groups are calling for double the number of educational psychologists employed in the public sector to improve the mental health of young people.