Special needs education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): a systems perspective

Arif, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3769-3838 and Gaad, E 2008, 'Special needs education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): a systems perspective' , Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 8 (2) , pp. 111-117.

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Abstract

In order to obtain maximum benefits from the educational system, it is imperative that the system should work as a unified coherent unit. Gaad, Arif and Scott (2006) conducted the systems analysis of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) general education system. They analysed three components of the system in order to assess the development, delivery and evaluation. This paper utilises the same framework to analyse the special needs education (SEN) system in the UAE. Data for the research were collected through observations and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the data identifies some possibilities for improvement. In the area of development, more teaching and supplemental material specific to special needs education needs to be developed. Currently, teachers are working with what is known as the ‘para curriculum’. It is based on the regular textbook; with chapters that are difficult being simplified or removed. In the area of delivery, more training would be beneficial to teachers. The monitoring and evaluation component's analysis points out that the evaluation instrument used currently needs to be modified for special needs education monitoring and additional resources in the area of special needs education would required.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Built and Human Environment
Schools:	Schools Schools > School of the Built Environment Schools > School of the Built Environment > Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructures & Sustainable Environments
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs
Publisher:	Wiley
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1471-3802
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	M Arif
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2015 17:06
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 19:47
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/36078

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