Autism association launches training programme for teachers

The Maldives Autism Association (MAA) has launched a special programme to train teachers of children with special needs, reports newspaper Haveeru.

MAA Managing Director Ifham Hussan told the local daily that 40 teachers are participating in the four-day course at the social centre. Training is being conducted by two experts from Malaysia and Singapore, she added.

“We are not going to be covering modules on autism only in this programme, we will try and cover all the areas relative to children with all kinds of disabilities. By the time the training draws to a close, the participants will know how to manage such children within classrooms,” she was quoted as saying.

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives’ ‘National Inquiry on Access to Education for Children with Disabilities’ earlier this year documented systemic failings in the education system.

The autism association is a founding member of the recently established Child Advocacy Network of Disability Organisations (CAN DO), designed to protect and promote the rights and well-being of children with disabilities.