A total of 80 people are at present reading for a diploma course in Facilitating Inclusive Education while another 80, who are already working with children with special needs in mainstream education, have started to attend a separate training course being offered in Gozo.

The Gozo Ministry is providing the financial support needed so that, when possible, courses that are of benefit to Gozitans are held in Gozo.

It was through the continuous collaboration between the Ministry for Gozo, the University of Malta, the University Gozo Centre and the Education Division, together with the financial support of the Ministry for Gozo, that courses such as the Diploma in Facilitating Inclusive Education and the in-service course for Supply Kindergarten Assistants could be held in Gozo for Gozitans.

These two courses are aimed at improving the abilities of those already working with children in classrooms, with an emphasis on the skills needed to continue improving inclusion in schools, Gozo minister Giovanna Debono said yesterday during the launch of the first course held in Gozo leading towards the Diploma in Facilitating Inclusive Education which will be held on a part-time basis over a two-year period.

Mrs Debono said the Gozo Ministry is giving financial support so that these courses will be held in Gozo to provide more Gozitans with the opportunity to continue studying, even after they are in employment. This is in line with government’s policy to provide as many educational and training opportunities for adults as possible, in direct relation to their employment, also in Gozo.

Minister Debono spoke about the governments’ policy on inclusion in schools, the Special Unit in Sannat, and a number of other schools around Gozo that have been furnished with lifts and other facilities to accommodate a larger number of students with special needs in the last few years.