Hospitable Classrooms, Inclusive Society

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Hospitable Classrooms, Inclusive Society:

The Straits Times reported on 4th Nov 2016 that the government would be extending the Compulsory Education Act, which was passed in Parliament in 2000, to special needs children. This will take effect in 2019.

Indeed, the former Minister for Education (Schools) - Mr. Ng Chee Meng has said that this is “an important milestone in Singapore’s continuing drive towards national inclusiveness”. He added that it “is a reaffirmation that every child matters, regardless of his or her learning challenges.” The Ministry of Education (MOE) also gave the assurance that no special needs child will be denied of education because his or her parents are unable to pay the school fees. The move by the government to ensure that all special needs children have access to education is a step in the right direction. It must be welcomed and supported by all who are committed to the common good.

In recent decades, there has been a growing acceptance in Western societies of the role that public schools can play in providing special education to children with learning disabilities. According to some commentators, this development is due to the changing attitudes towards disability and the rise of professional and parental advocacy.

Christian writers on special education like Professor David W. Anderson have long argued that special needs children should be given the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of an education. In addition, they have insisted on the inclusion of such children as equal members of the classroom community. Some writers have attempted to envision special education within the framework of a Christian theology of reconciliation. Others have allowed the Christian conceptions of inclusion and interdependence to inform and shape their approaches. However, in thinking about the inclusion of children with special needs in our schools and classrooms, it is the Christian virtue of hospitality that has proved most helpful. 

In her book about hospitality in the Christian tradition, Christine Pohl explains that “the distinctive quality of Christian hospitality is that it offers a generous welcome to the ‘least’, without concern for advantage or benefit to the host.” Amy Oden helpfully adds that “hospitality does not entail feeling sorry for someone and trying to help…” To understand hospitality in this way is to cause it to degenerate into condescension, where the host becomes the hero and the guest the victim.

As a reflection of divine love, Christian hospitality is neither condescending nor coercive. Rather, true hospitality acknowledges the dignity of the other by respecting the other’s freedom and difference. Applying this virtue to education, Anderson wrote, “Hospitality, seen in the teacher’s approach to students, and as characteristic of the classroom milieu, conveys welcome, acceptance, and belonging to all students.” The practice of hospitality in the classroom and the school where there are disabled students requires a radical shift in perspective and orientation. It requires a re-visioning of people with disabilities, and an honest interrogation of the way in which we have understood disability itself.

 

In the hospitable classroom, the primary focus must be the student, not his disabilities as such. Of course, this does not suggest that the student’s disabilities are unimportant. Rather, it acknowledges the fact that the disabilities of the student and the limitations they impose are not the totality of his being, but one aspect only. It recognizes that disabled students share many things with their able-bodied classmates, that they are “more like the other students than different”, as one writer puts it.

 

In a hospitable classroom, positive attention is given to all students, and necessary accommodations and modifications are made for the disabled so that they can participate in all activities. As Nilsa Thorsos has written, in this welcoming environment, special students are made to see that “they too are included and required to make significant contributions to society”.

 

Inclusive education disabuses us of the deep-seated assumption that children – as well as adults – must be ‘normal’ if they are to contribute to society. As Norman Kunc points out, inclusive education compels us to “search for and nourish the gifts that are inherent in all people”.

 

It is only when a society recognizes the intrinsic worth of every person (including the disabled), and welcomes and accepts them, that it can be said to be truly inclusive.

 

(Written by Dr Roland Chia, 21st May 2018)

 

Profile Background Source:

Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor for the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      


 

 

How to be a Better Father – Father’s Day Devotional

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How to be a Better Father – Father’s Day Devotional

I can agree with Terence Chatmon as he describes on how a child might not receive positive assurances if the father does not spend much time with his child because of a broken marriage or business travel, or whatever it may be, yet the number one way to be a better father is to make sure that in every single interaction he has with his child, assuring him or her of his love for the child as he mentioned in the Crosswalk devotional text.

 

As I meditated upon what the apostle Paul says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) on this Father’s Day, I ponder on how children need to know they are loved, and loved enough to want what’s best for them, which means the occasional course correction. Fathers who are absent may be afraid to punish, believing it will drive their children from them, yet this could not be further from the truth, and children know the discipline comes out of love for true love loves unconditionally and it comes with accountability.

 

How could you as a father assure your child of your love for him or her today?

 

Happy Father’s Day!

 

Profile Background Source:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with a Diploma Degree from School Of Ministry In’ Tung Ling Bible College (1999) and TCA College (2003) with Certificate Degree in Bible and Ministry.’ Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months.  Today, Jeremy is an active member, a volunteer & an Inclusion Ambassador in Disabled People Association and YouthCorps Singapore serving in Special Needs Cluster, Friends of Engagement TaskForce and that he does volunteer in multiple places too in the area of disability related contacts.

 

Do The Right Thing!

Do The Right Thing!  

Contributed By Melanie Schurr

Sometimes I wonder if the fear of being “politically-correct” or not intruding on an individual's “diversity” may be preventing the truth of God's word, the Bible, from being revealed to the masses. Perhaps we don't want to step on anyone's toes or risk offending someone by sharing with them information God clearly says they need to hear. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19. Should we not want God to be ashamed to call us His children, likewise we should not be ashamed of Him and His word. It is not for us to judge His message as presented in the Scriptures, but to simply do as He has asked, for we are not here to please man, but God. “On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts” 1 Thessalonians 2:4.

 

I am reminded of a period in time when many people said nothing about racism and prejudice due to fear of speaking out, and standing up for what was right. The result of this inactivity was that evil was allowed to continue on. When you care about someone, you warn them’ if they are about to stumble off a cliff. And, if you see an individual about to drink poison which he thinks is lemonade, you likewise make certain they know that sipping the beverage will lead to their sickness and demise.

 

Are we often fearful and hesitant to share the truth of God's word with a world that so desperately needs to hear it? Some people will accept God's word, and others will reject it.

 

Doing so may cause us to make friends, or enemies. However, truth is truth, and it is God's business, not our own, for as the Scriptures affirm, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake” 2 Corinthians 4:5.

 

Taking a stand for the truth, and doing what is right is not always easy. In fact, in this day and age, it can be quite difficult at times because what God has to say on a given subject may not always match with our current society's view.

 

For example, man may say that having a sexual relationship outside of marriage is not a big deal, but God's word declares adultery as sin. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” Hebrews 13:4:

 

Likewise, our friends may tell us its’ acceptable to lie, cheat and steal, but is this really what God would have us do?

 

(Written by Melanie Schurr)

Profile Information Source:

Melanie Schurr is an author of “Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide, Son Salutations and Daily Contemplations,” which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations.