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Education
February 3, 2012

Minister Proclaims February as Inclusive Education Month

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, has declared February as Inclusive Education Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“As a government, we believe that all students should have the opportunity to attend school with their peers, and to receive appropriate and quality programming in inclusive school environments,” said Minister Jackman. “Inclusive practices in schools recognize that each child should be respected and valued for who they are, regardless of their physical or intellectual capabilities, whether they are male or female, and regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or any other individual characteristic.”

The Provincial Government invests $1.3 million annually to support inclusive education practices in schools, such as teacher training in inclusive philosophy, instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, and the provision of assistive technology and alternate format materials for students.

“As a former teacher and high school administrator, I witnessed various degrees of inclusion and positive progression during my 29 years in the education profession, but nothing compared to the extent that is happening in our schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador today,” said Dennis Gill, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living. “It is truly uplifting to see the commitment of our government to this vision, and the significant advances which are becoming a reality in inclusive education policy and practice. We look forward to working cooperatively with the disability community, families, learning institutions, boards, the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, and government to continue advancing these improvements over the coming year.”

For more on the Provincial Government’s inclusive education initiatives visit: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/inclusion.html.

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Photo: Education Minister Clyde Jackman signs a proclamation declaring February Inclusive Education Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. Minister Jackman was joined by Kelly White, left, Executive Director of the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities and Natasha McDonald, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living.

Media contacts:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Natasha McDonald
Executive Director
Newfoundland and Labrador
Association for Community Living
709-722-0790 ext. 224
natasha.mcdonald@nlacl.ca

2012 02 03                            10:30 a.m.

 
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