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INCLUSION BECAUSE----- The special needs children are often condemned to a poor start in life and deprived of opportunities to develop to their full potential and to participate in society. They are routinely denied access to the same opportunities for early, primary and secondary education, or life-skills and vocational training, or both, that are available to other children. They either have no voice or their views are discounted.
What is Inclusion
Inclusion is part of a much larger picture than just placement in the regular class within school. It is being included in life and participating using one's abilities in day to day activities as a member of the community. It is being a part of what everyone else is, and being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs. Inclusion can occur in schools, playgrounds, work and in recreation and most importantly in the home.
Is Gambia on Track??
Progress The education sector continues to be one of the priority areas of government as it attaches much importance to the sector in view of the increasing need for trained manpower for the country to attain its development objectives. Based on both normative and summative evaluations of various interventions conducted with support from the Education for All/Fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI) and other bilateral and multilateral donors, there is evidence to indicate that significant successes have been registered within the sector. These include expanded access to education across all levels of the school system, particularly by girls in the rural areas, where, in some instances, interventions led to the unintended decline of boys enrolment. Owing to the comprehensive and successful interventions to boost girls enrolment, particularly since 2004, The Gambia is one of the few countries in SSA to have reached the EFA and Millennium Development goal of gender parity in primary schools.
Is Gambia on Track??
The GER at the upper basic level, which stood at 29% in 1998, has risen by over 30% to 65%. These achievements have ultimately contributed to the attainment of gender parity at the basic level (i.e., from Grades 1 to 9). Similarly, the GER at the senior secondary school level doubled from 15% in 1998 to 32% in 2007. MDG Goal 2 (proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach last grade of primary) has been attained. On track to attaining net enrolment in primary education and literacy among 15-24 year olds. MDG Goal 3 (gender parity in primary and lower basic has been attained and parity at senior secondary is within reach)
Is Gambia on Track??
Challenges The disparity between boys and girls in enrolment, retention and performance. The three broad issues of providing quality education, training and retaining qualified teachers and other personnel Mobilizing sufficient resources for both recurrent and development purposes The curriculum gaps and shortcomings, especially of dovetailing the syllabuses to form a continuum from one segment of the school system to the other