Special Education: An Introduction
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Vision:
§ To develop Human Resource in the form of highly skilled teachers for Special- Need People.
Mission:
§ The mission of the programme is to develop teaching and critical thinking skills required to meet the needs of special people in the disabled community.
Objectives:
- To provide an effective course of study and training for intended teachers in Special Education.
- To conduct research and develop recommendations for the welfare of Special children and assess their special needs.
- To serve as a resource center for all Government and Non-Government Organization, both at local and national level.
The Department of Special Education was established at the University of Karachi in 1988. Initially, the Department was established as a baby of the Ministry of Special Education and Social Welfare Islamabad. Later the Department was adopted by the University of Karachi as a regular Department of the University in 2000.
The department offers regular program of studies in Special Education at graduate as well as postgraduate level for the students who intend to serve Special Need Community. During the course of studies, students are taught skills required to teach Special Children who are Mentally Retarded, Impaired Hearing, Visually or Physically Handicapped and disable to Learn under normal circumstances.
Teaching in the Department is planned on most modern teaching methods. Besides, lectures, demonstration, discussion and classroom participation is also encouraged. The teachers keep developing by attending national and international trainings as well as conferences.
The programs offered by the Department since its inception are Diploma in Special Education, Masters in Special Education and B.A. (Hons.) in Special Education. The Department now offers the programmes. B.S., M.A., MS. and Ph.D.
Since 1988 to date, the Department has produced numerous Ph.Ds in the subjects of Education, Psychology, and Special Education. Presently, many students are in process of completing their M. Phil . / Ph.D. research work through the Department without course work as well as new batch of students are completing the course work.
Many distinguished scholars have contributed to the fame and luster of the Department. Professor Dr. Ismail Saad was the founder chairman of the Department. He was instrumental in placing the Department on solid foundations during his chairmanship from 1987 to 1996. In 1996, Dr. Shagufta Shahzadi took charge of the Department as he retired. Dr. Shagufta worked hard to develop and establish the Department as a regular program of the University. The Department was finally treated as a department of University of Karachi in 2000.
Department maintains close relationship with public and private organizations like Government Social Welfare and Education Department as well NGOs in the city. It also has liaison with Punjab University, Allama Iqbal Open University and many other Universities in the Country. The Graduates in Special Education serve as teachers, administrators, proprietors as well as coordinators in the Special Education Institutes throughout the Country.
Special Educators are playing a vital role in the development of special-need children in the country. Graduated students are employed both nationally and internationally. The Department plans to develop an Institute of Special Education and Research targeting towards developing future experts in the field of Early Intervention, Behavior Modification, Counseling and Guidance, Assessment and Rehabilitation etc.
SWOT Analysis:
Strengths
§ The Faculty is highly qualified (Ph.D. Degree holdesr)
§ Department is offering Program of studies from BS- 4 Year to Ph.D. level e.g., BS, MS & Ph.D. Programs.
- Department acts as Resource Center for NGO’s and Government organizations.
- The Department arranges seminars, workshops and awareness program for stakeholders.
Weaknesses
§ Limited resources.
§ Lack of infrastructure.
§ Lack of purpose built premises.
§ Poor coordination among stakeholders.
§ Limited professionals in the field.
Opportunities
§ Support of Higher Education Commission.
§ Support at National and Provincial Levels.
§ Research and Development.
§ Community Services.
§ Social Networking.
§ Information Sharing.
Threats
§ Unawareness of Public.
§ Misconception about Special Education.
§ Lack of coordination among multi-professionals.
§ Low job opportunities for graduates.
§ Lack of recognition of degree.
Future Vision:
§ Develop the capacities of Faculty members.
§ Build purpose- built building for the Department.
§ Introduce most modern teaching techniques.
§ Invite foreign experts utilizing H.E.C. facilities.
§ Develop an institute for research and development.
§ Serve as resource centre for stakeholders.
Program of Studies:
1. B. S. in Special Education
2. M. A. in Special Education
3. M. A. in Speech and Audiology
4. MS. in Special Education
5. Ph. D. in Special Education
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