This piece was published at the end of August 2019 on Perspectives of The Himalayan Times. You can find the piece here: Promoting Inclusive Education | Sharing4good
A
new batch of ENGAGE Corps involved with Learning with Fun has been
inducted and all of them are currently undertaking the preparatory capacity
building component before the start of one long year service in the field of
inclusive education.
Learning
with Fun is a small pilot project now in its second edition
that attempts to enhance the social emotional learning of children with
learning and developmental disabilities.
With
social emotional learning we refer to key components of a process of personal
growth that help a child to deal properly and effectively with their emotions
and relationships with others.
While
subjects based learning, traditionally imparted through classroom based
activities remains essential for children with all types of disabilities, often
neglected of their rights to quality and inclusive education, there is also a
strong case for the promotion of their social emotional learning.
Extra
curriculum activities, if properly planned and designed, can also play a
different role.
The
six ENGAGE Corps, all social work students from St. Xavier College, are
determined to play a small role in creating a model service program to support
children that are neglected and marginalized by coming up with a set of
activities that will be imparted for two days a week full time.
From
reading and reflecting on a story tale to creative arts classes to sports and
physical activities, Learning with Fun will try to promote the social
wellbeing of the targeted group through a specifically designed curriculum
focused on fun but purposeful activities.
Here
a short presentation of the new ENGAGE Corps, young but very professional and
serious at their upcoming responsibilities:
Bipana
Adhikari, 19, loves animals and nature and dreams of becoming
an environmentalist, working at the intersections of environment conservation
and human development;
Sabina
Ghale, 18, loves adventures and sports and is a good athlete
especially she is a good football player and dreams of serving in the military
as psychologist or counselor;
Shruti
Shakya, 22, a Chinese language teacher, is passionate about
travelling and exploring new places and wants to work in the field of public
health, specifically mental health and overall human welfare;
Nitika
Shrestha, 19, a book lover, wants to travel around
the world and envision herself working in the field of environment and
conservation while also cares deeply about emotional problems faced by people;
Rikka
Marsani, 23, a professional kumari dancer, loves reading and
wants to explore herself so she can get lots of exposure and imagine herself as
public health worker and a promoter of local heritage;
Ankita
Joshi, 18, is studying traditional dance since grade II, strives
to have a career working for the welfare of children in Nepal but also
in other countries where kids deserve better opportunities;
The
dreams and aspirations of our new six ENGAGE Corps can be regarded as an
example of what youth are doing to turn the country into a more just and
inclusive nation and their families and friends should be very proud of them.
Imagine
if more youths like Rikka, Sabina, Nitika, Bipana, Shruti, Ankita could join
the cause of inclusive education and give their best efforts to bring little
but significant changes in the lives of many “invisible” children.
Imagine
if social work colleges around the country would strategically focus on certain
key areas of high social impact, devoting their best energies and efforts and
talents (both students and teachers) to achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals.
The
fact that a big issue like inclusive education is strongly linked to gender
empowerment, poverty and inequality reduction and overall sustainable
communities makes a strong case for an intersectional approach.
Imagine
if the endeavors of all social work students in their practicum experiences
could be fully acknowledged and recognized and awarded. Surely more youth would
be more determined and motivated in carrying out social work, both formally
through a college but also informally, as a way of living alongside their jobs.
Surely
we should not hold for granted all the contributions youths are making for the
country.
Being
involved in social issues goes often unrecognized and belittled and this is
unfair and unacceptable.
It
is true that power of volunteer alone is not enough.
It
is also true that professionalism and expertise of social workers is going to
be wasted if there is no a proper system approach that helps improving people
lives in real rather than just in the formats of project proposal and related reports.
We
need systematic change that involves the Government at federal, provincial and
local levels and many other stakeholders but recognizing and building on the
efforts of our six ENGAGE Corps and thousands of volunteers and budding social
workers would be a stepping stone not only for a truly inclusive education
system but for a far more just and fair Nepal.
Galimberti
is the Co-Founder of ENGAGE, an NGO partnering with youths living with and
without disabilities. He can be reached at simone_engage@yahoo.com
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