Project: Teacher Training

Description of the Project

Edycs Epilepsy Group in Mauritius is creating an Epilepsy Advocacy Network, one action of which will be to train teachers working with special needs children.

Objectives of the Project

• Explore possibilities for concerted actions and strong lobbying to advance the epilepsy agenda in the education sector among Specialized Schools under the aegis Edycs Epilepsy Group ‘Epilepsy Advocacy Network’
• Empower Chairpersons and teaching staffs in the management of epilepsy and learning disabilities
• Collect and analyse data on children with epilepsy educational performance and progress including failures
• Follow up the effectiveness of the training programs and children with epilepsy school adjustment and resilience
• Strive to raise local media awareness of the facts about children with epilepsy educational difficulties, and to emphasize the media’s role and responsibility in reporting accurately on the topic

Activities of the Project

• Invitation to all Specialized Schools to adhere the Epilepsy Advocacy Network under Edycs Epilepsy Group
• Invitation to the Ministry of Education and the Mental Health Federation to support the initiative and be part of the Network through their representatives
• Organization of a two-days training workshop for Chairpersons of Specialized Schools in Advocacy and Partnership Building
• Development of an Advocacy Tool Kit for Chairpersons Specialized Schools
• Organization of a two-days training workshop for teachers about the management of epilepsy and learning disabilities
• Recruitment of a part time Visiting Officer responsible to liaise with the Specialized Schools and act as facilitator in disseminating information and resource person as regard to epilepsy talks in the school setting
• Development of an assessment tool to evaluate the program
• Preparation of ongoing reports once program is implemented
• Preparation of final report for submission to IBE and other collaborators and partners

Expected Results

• Increased consultation among Specialized Schools through effective networking and partnership
• Strong lobby for special education provision and other facilities
• Elimination of schools isolation
• Development of a medium and long term Action Plan in order to develop further collaborations and advances in the epilepsy agenda
• Empowering of key leaders and teaching staff in the management of epilepsy
• Changing attitudes, behaviours and policies in educational service delivery

Monitoring and Evaluation

A Project Implementation Committee will be established to implement and monitor the program including the preparation of interim and final reports to the IBE.

The Project Implementation Committee will meet at least twice a month

Project Partners

• Menthal Health Federation: represented by Dr. Charles Yip Tong, Psychiatrist providing technical support to the program implementation
• Association Pour L’Education Des Enfants Defavorises: represented by Mrs. Anooradah Pooran, Chairperson, providing technical support to the program implementation
• Ministry of Education: represented by an appointed officer providing logistics support to the program implementation