To improve their teaching and communicative skills, school counsellers as well as pre vocational teachers took part in an examination in basic sign language. The course, which began May 14 was organised by the Guidance and Counselling Department, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College.

The course based on “Signing Exact English” S.E.E. was conducted by Sirazzudeen bin Md Maideen from SOAS College. The objective was to equip the participants with the necessary skills to improve their ability to communicate with students with special needs.

Out of the 17 teachers and counsellors that initially took part in the course only half took the exam. Most of the teachers performed very well and their instructor was proud to have passed on what he considered to be an important skill in effective communication.

Counsellors and teachers from SOAS College, Rimba Secondary School, Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Rashidah Secondary School, Lumut, Pengiran Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar Secondary School, Kuala Belait, Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri STPRI, Sayyidina Umar Al Khattab Secondary School, Lumas, Berakas Secondary School, Pengiran Dipa Negara Sengkarai Secondary School, Tutong and Sayyidina Abu Bakar Secondary School took part in the programme.

With their new understanding of basic sign language (S.E.E.) counsellors are in a better position to give better consultation not only to students with special needs, but also to teachers and mainstream students.

Not only will counsellors be able to teach and communicate better with children with special needs, but it also allows the teachers to create a more inclusive environment for them therefore negating the hindrance of their disability on their education.

• 10th BIIBBF set to unfold in Labuan
• PEMODA to hold Raya event on October 16
• SOASC donates to 35 needy students
• SOASC feted to captivating musical performance by the Orient Express
• PEMODA invitation to charity event