BRIDGES ACROSS BORDERS

Cambodian Initiatives on Inclusive Preschool Education
Study Visit by Cambodian Team to India

A nine-member team from Cambodia, comprising officials from government departments like education, youth and sports, preventive medicine and health, was in Chennai from October 12th to 16th, 2011. This visit was part of an initiative to launch early intervention services in Cambodia and have a first hand experience of the intricacies and developments in the field of disability and education.

The concluding session was held in MNC on October 15th 2011, with members of the visiting team and staff of MNC.

Some of the key issues that emerged were the feasibility of exchange visits by resource persons from India and trainees from Cambodia, economics of training less qualified persons vs. well qualified English speaking persons, (the latter most likely to migrate overseas for more lucrative opportunities), the need to consider local cultures, customs and practices while designing a special education program and required training materials.