Creative Learning Center- The week

Creative Learning Center to Open its Doors Soon
September 2007

Creative Learning Centre LLC is gearing up to open its doors by the end of Ramadan. The centre will be offering after-school programmes, programmes for children with special needs and special tutorial programmes for weak children in school. The programmes will be month-to-month, studied either by levels or modules. Kawthar Al Hadhrami, managing director of the centre, says: “As of now, there few programmes for children with special needs here in Oman. These children are locked away in their houses with their parents and denied any form of education. What about the future of these children? What will happen to them once their parents die or are no longer able to take care of them? We must teach these children minimum needs to make them self-reliant.”

Al Hadhrami has a 14-year-old son of her own with special needs. “I have suffered with my son. When he was kicked out of a regular Omani school for being too “stupid” as the principal at the school he was attending so rudely put it, we went around from school to school trying to find him a place. Either they wouldn’t take him because he was a special needs case or Omani (for expat schools) or we just couldn’t afford it. One school we approached had fees of over RO7,000 per year! Which Omani family can afford those kinds of fees or even an expat family for that matter? Another school wanted to charge us an extra RO1,000 on top of the regular RO3,000 tuition fees because he was a special needs student. I felt as if the school was penalising us or punishing us for having a child with special needs. In the end, we ended up hiring a private teacher, with whom my son has adapted well. However, I do feel he needs social interaction with other children.”

Al Hadhrami comments that the situation for expats, especially those who are English-speaking or non-Arabic, is even worse. “These families have no place to turn because they don’t speak Arabic. The few resources that are available here in Oman are for Arab children. Those who are not Arabs are just sort of lost in the storm. Since these children had been going to schools or centres back home, when they see that there is nothing for them here, these children seem to take many step backward instead of moving ahead.”

Al Hadhrami states that children with mild to moderate Down Syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia and other conditions are able to learn and go on to college, earn degrees and be able to hold jobs and to rely on themselves. She states that unfortunately in Oman special needs children are not given this opportunity which is really sad. “It’s putting all the responsibility on the parents’ head, to support these children all their lifetime instead of making these children self-reliant and responsible, which those with mild to moderate needs are more than capable of doing,” she says. She also states that these children need the opportunity to learn and a place where they can also have social interaction with other children. “They need a place to learn, and play; a place where learning can be fun and enjoyed by them. I am hoping to make a difference in these young children’s lives,” she says.

Al Hadhrami says that at the centre, the children will be in classes according to their disabilities and level. There will be 12 students in each class, split into groups of four with a teacher in each group. She believes that small group instruction is very important on any child’s success, especially when talking about children with special needs. Small group instruction is the proper way and the only way for these children to learn. Speaking about the educational assistance programme at the centre, Al Hadhrami says that it is an innovative programme, which will assist children get enrolled in regular mainstream schools. “We aim to help all students, both in the government and private schools who are struggling to keep up with their peers.” She says that parents will have a choice on how to group their children. “They can have one-on-one instruction, four in a group, six in a group or a group of 10 or more. The larger group will not exceed 12 children though. All subjects will be covered and children will be grouped according to their grade levels and problem areas.” “

These days, teachers at schools do not want to do anything extra to help these children, especially if the child has a learning problem, a processing problem, is a slow learner or is with special needs. Therefore, I feel it is my job and duty to help these children as much as possible, so that they can succeed in school.” There will also be programmes for young adults (up to age 19) in English language, computer and other programmes, which will run on a month-to-month basis. “We are still thinking up programmes for these young adults to try,” states Al Hadhrami.

“These days, it is important for everyone to have a skill. While going to college or university is the best choice for all of these young adults, some may not qualify and it may not be an option for others. However, they need to learn a skill to find an employment.” For more information on Creative Learning Centre LLC, visit http://www.clc-om.com