Date: 27 – 31 May 2019
Venue: Methodist Pilley Instiute
Fee: RM 350 (Early bird RM 280 before 30 April 2019)
Organizers: Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) &National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC)

Objectives:
1. To pilot the Inclusive Education Training Module developed by NECIC.
2. To develop an inclusive mindset in preschool teachers.
3. To provide preschool teachers with evidence-based and practical knowledge of inclusive preschooling.
4. To develop reflective practice in preschool teachers.

Context and Description of Issue
Research evidence has shown that children with disabilities, when included with theirs peers without disabilities, have improved academic outcomes, better social skills, more meaningful peer relationships, greater active involvement in class and school activities. Inclusive education benefits not only students with disabilities, but also students without disabilities, teaching practices, school systems and community (Hehir et al.,2016). Inclusive mindsets and attitudes positively influence the way they interact with CWD and adapting the learning and physical environment to support the needs of CWD for meaningful participation.

Interest in Inclusive Education has increased in recent years in Malaysia. However, parents’ demand for inclusive preschools and daycare services far exceeds the current provision in the early childhood education settings (ECE). There is a huge gap in teacher training and professional development which leaves early childhood education teachers unprepared to cope with the needs of CWD in their classrooms.

Registration
For course information, please contact Mr Bobo Wong at btkwong@pilley.edu.my / (013) 811-0323
For registration, please contact Jennifer Yeo at jennifer.yeo@pilley.edu.my / (019)886-5117

Trainer
Chew Siok Cheng
Siok Cheng has a Masters of Art in Education (Special Educational Needs) from Roehampton University, United Kingdom. She has had 20 years’ experience in the field of Early Childhood Intervention, and her major interest is in preschool inclusion, having maintained close contact with a number of kindergartens in her local community in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Siok Cheng is currently with Pilley Institute in Sibu, teaching Early Childhood Education Diploma and Degree program. She is also the board member of Methodist Care Early Intervention Centres in Sarawak, the Secretary of Special Olympics Sarawak and committee member of National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC).

Ng Lai Thin
Project Officer, National Early Childhood Intervention Council, Malaysia Erasmus Mundus MA in Special and Inclusive Education (jointly awarded by University of Roehampton, UK, University of Oslo, Norway and Charles University, Czech Republic) BPsy in Psychology (Hons.), HELP University College, Malaysia.
Lai Thin graduated with a Masters in Special and Inclusive Education under the Erasmus Mundus programme, and BPsych (Hons.) in Psychology from HELP University
College. Lai Thin has experience as a special education teacher, and provided support to families of children with disabilities to cope with mainstream schooling. Lai Thin is currently the project officer for the National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC), developing resources in inclusive education for the Malaysian context. Lai Thin is passionate about creating inclusive environment for all and empowering young people with disabilities.

Provided by MPI, Sibu