Patna, Aug. 26: Studies could soon be fun for children with learning difficulties like dyslexia, attention deficiency disorder and others.
Experts from across the globe would congregate in Patna to share their views on various aspects of learning difficulties and also to suggest ways, following which one can overcome such problems.
The event assumes significance, as according to estimates, five to 10 per cent children suffer from one or other form of learning difficulty. In a majority of these cases, the problems remain undiagnosed and those born with these difficulties are left to face the challenges of life without pro-per remedy.
The platform for this deliberation is being provided by Association for Promotion of Creative Learning (APCL), India, and Kanka Gajendra Foundation (KGF), UK. Both these organisations are going to hold “International Conference on Educational and Social Inclusion” in Patna between November 25 and 27.
APCL works for promoting creativity and creative learning in society. It has developed teaching and learning methodologies based on our age-old Indian learning system properly blended with modern learning technology, to promote quality education in society. KGF works for facilitating positive change in the lives of people through improvement in the areas of education, health, economic self-sustainability and multi-cultural awareness. Gajendra Verma, the founder of the Kanka Gajendra Foundation, has his roots in Bihar.
Experts from the USA, the UK, India, Cameroon, Canada, Greece, Israel, Switzerland and Taiwan have already sent their consent for taking part in the event. The list of participants (see chart) include Dr Royston Flude, Dr Ajay Kapoor, Dr Carl A Grant, Dr Devorah Kalekin-Fishman, Dr Gajendra Verma, Ian Stewart and Dr Eleni Griva.
They would present their papers at the conference.
The event would cover three themes on the basis of which papers would be presented. While one theme would deal with education and learning difficulties, another would be related to health education, equality and diversity. The third theme would be curriculum, teacher education and home-school partnership.
Explaining the themes, conference chairman Vijoy Prakash said papers on the first theme would deal with types of learning difficulties, their identification and the steps needed to be taken so that those living with these problems can overcome them without being left behind.
About the second theme, he said experts would explain how various kinds of health-related problems, too, are posing a challenge for educational and social inclusion of people suffering from them and what should be done to take care of this aspect. “The third theme deals with people, like teachers, who have to play a major role in realising the goal of inclusion,” Prakash added.
A 1981-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, who is presently holding the post of principal secretary, planning and development department, Prakash has been closely associated with APCL and is known for his books on creative learning.
Based on the outcome of the conference, the organisers intend to come out with a book which would be a ready reckoner not only for individuals facing learning difficulties but also for institutions working on issues of social education.
Giving reasons for organising the event, he said: “In a world of rapid technological, social, political and economic change, education and social inclusion of children with diverse background and ability was one of the major challenges facing the society. Inclusive education is not just about disabled children and young people. It is being gradually realised that such inclusion is a primary condition for bringing equity and social justice in society,” he added.
