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Cerebral Palsy Courses at Guangxi
The cerebral palsy courses sponsored by Hong Kong Rainbow Missions at Guangxi College of Preschool Education have just ended in late June. The courses were suggested by Rainbow Missions field workers to the three teachers of the Special Education Faculty of the college. The courses were also greatly supported by Angel House. Angel House sent their very top and experienced professional teachers to lecture. This is a new milestone for special education in Guangxi.
In the past, special education at the college focused more on blindness, hearing impairments, cognitive impairments and autism. It rarely included any education in the area of cerebral palsy. Last year, Angel House shared with us that it was very difficult for them to hire any teachers. Many times, the physical therapists would have to teach the school curriculum to the children. If they were able to hire some teachers, usually none of them had any background in special education, especially in the area of cerebral palsy. They felt that the job was too difficult for them, and not many of them can persevere with the job. Those who have special education background are mostly found in Chongqing and Beijing. Most of these new graduates prefer to stay in their home towns to serve children with disabilities there, as their home towns have many needs as well.
Rainbow Missions believes that the best solution is to train people in Guangxi to become professionals in cerebral palsy education. Children with cerebral palsy will then have the opportunity to receive proper education. Our field workers and faculty members of Guangxi College of Preschool Education Special Education met in January to exchange ideas. We were both very excited to offer these courses. With the support from the principal of Guangxi College of Preschool Education, the professional teachers sent from Angel House, and the financial assistance from Hong Kong Rainbow Missions for the lecturers, the courses began in late February at the beginning of the second semester. The courses include 34 class hours -- 17 weeks of class with 2 class hours per week.
Students at the college received a lot of information about cerebral palsy. They learned the special characteristics of children with cerebral palsy. They gained a good understanding of some of the skills needed to teach children with cerebral palsy. We hope these students will choose Angel House for their internships. It will greatly help the hiring of teachers into Angel House.
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