BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3184
A SESSION ON LEARNING DISABILITY FOR SCHOOL HEADS AND SUPERVISORS!
Mrs. Matilda Fernandes
MATUNGA-MUMBAI, OCTOBER 19, 2012 : One of the hallmarks of high quality education is an emphasis on collaboration and shared responsibility. With the growing need to be 
visible and effective as educators, the Salesian schools have envisaged an ambitious project to give the mental health program a prominent place in the schools. To this end, there have been efforts to get the program on track through a series of workshops and sessions on this theme.
The first session on Learning Disability conducted for the Salesian Principals made way for a similar program for the head teachers and supervisors of seven Salesian schools at Don Bosco Youth Services, Matunga on October 17, 2012. Twenty four teachers – headmistress, head teachers, supervisors, counselors – from St. Joseph’s Wadala, Don Bosco Matunga, Dominic Savio Andheri, Don Bosco Borivili, Don Bosco Naigaon, Don Bosco Nerul and Don Bosco Nashik came together to be part of this process.
The program began with a short introductory session by Fr. Bernard Fernandes. He introduced Fr. Edward D’Souza, the resource person for the day’s session. Having trained himself in Special Education (Learning Disability) at Fordham Univerisy in USA, Fr. Eddie was here to share his passion for children with learning disabilities and enlighten us how to address their needs.
The first part of the morning was spent in a detailed lecture on learning disability – its description, its causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, outcome and tools for intervention. The power point presentation packed with illustrations and modern day examples lent deeper insights into the topic. Through the many handouts related to topics such as Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory, Piaget’s Maturational stages of development, Stages of acceptance – parents’ reaction to the discovery of learning disabilities in their children, IQ and Dsylexia.
The second half of the morning was brought alive with interactions and interventions. Fr. Edward discussed the possibility of introducing diagnosis, remedial therapy and alternatives that could be accommodated in the school classrooms and schedule. It also meant planning for the training of teachers, redesigning infrastructures and making a provision for additional finances.
The session drew to a close with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Nicole, headmistress of St. Joseph’s, Wadala. A sumptuous lunch for the participants followed the session. It was time to say good bye to one another, but not before extending a helping hand to the organizers and each other to walk that extra mile to make things happen!
BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI
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