The Department of Special Needs Education has developed this programme jointly with the Department of Social Studies of the Faculty of HSS. The Duration of this programme is four years and the first two years (Level 3 & 4) will be devoted to the teaching Social Science subjects and last two years (Level 5 & 6) to Education subjects.

Objective of the Programme

The objective is to develop a Bachelor of Special Needs Education programme which would deal comprehensively with all aspects of special needs education, pedagogical as well as knowledge and skills.

Specific Objectives

To enable the participants to perform effectively as teachers by

1. Enhancing knowledge and understanding related to inclusive education.
2. Becoming familiar with accepted theories and practices in Special Needs Education.
3. Developing positive attitudes in working with children who have special needs.
4. Developing skills needed through practical work.
5. Sensitisation to current issues related to the specific needs of children placed in special circumstances.
6. Strengthening the knowledge and skills related to selected Social Sciences academic disciplines.
7. Strengthening capability of interacting with parents of children with special needs and communities.

Target Groups

1. Those who possessing G. C. E. (A/L) or completed the foundation courses offered by the Faculty of HSS and intend pursuing a career in the areas of Special Needs Education.
2. Teachers in service who possess either the Diploma in Teaching from the National Colleges of Education or Teacher Training Certificate and wish to upgrade their qualifications in the areas of Special Need Education.
3. Those who possessing a Diploma in Social Sciences

Entry Qualification

The students will be eligible to register for courses at Level 3 of the B.SNEd. Degree programme by obtaining

The students will be eligible to register for courses at Level 3 of the B.SNEd. Degree programme by obtaining

1. A minimum of 3 passes at G. C. E. (A/L) Examination in Arts/Commerce/Science streams,        OR
2. Obtained 54 credits from Foundation/Certificate in Social Sciences courses offered by the   Department Social Studies of the OUSL, OR
3. Successful completion of any study programme at level 2 offered by the Faculty of  Humanities of Social Sciences of   the OUSL ,OR
4. Successful Completion of any Teacher Training Programme conducted by the Teachers’ Colleges/ National Institute of Education under the Ministry of Education, OR
5. Any other equivalent or higher qualifications approved by the senate, AND
6. Passed English for Social Sciences (LSE2304) course or obtained a minimum mark 35 at the Grading / Exemption Test in English

[ Note: A student who already has a Diploma in Social Sciences can use the “Credit Transfer System” for the award of the B.SNEd.Degree]

Admission to Level 4

The students will be eligible to register for courses at Level 4 of the B.SNEd. Degree Programme on the acquisition of ,

1. Exemption/Passes in English (LSE 2304), and ,
2. Completion of ssu 1201, SSO1203, SSO1205 at Level 3 
   

Admission to Level 5

Students will be eligible to register for courses at Level 5 of the B.SNEd. Degree Programme on the acquisition of eligibility in all courses in Diploma in Social Sciences offered by the Department of Social Studies of    the Faculty of Humanities of Social Sciences, and

Admission to Level 6

Students will be eligible to register for courses at Level 6 of the B. SNEd.  Degree programme on the acquisition of;

1. Successful completion of Diploma in Social Sciences offered by the Department of Social Studies of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and
2. Eligibility in all courses in Education at Level 5

Media of Instruction

The media of instruction of all Social Science Courses at level 3 & 4 will be in English. Courses of Education at Level 5 and 6 will be either in Sinhala or Tamil or English. A student may choose any one of these media.

Degree in Bachelor of Special Needs Education

Programme Structure

Level 3

Courses offered at Level 3 from the Department of Social Studies of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Level 4

Courses offered at Level 4 from the Department of Social Studies of the Faculty Humanities and Social Sciences

Level 5

Courses offered at Level 5 from the Department of Special Needs Education of the Faculty of Education

Continuing Education Course for candidates who have admitted only with GCE A/L Qualification

Level 6

Courses offered at Level 6 from the Department of Special Needs Education of the Faculty of Education.

Project

Each student is expected to initiate an action research project on children with special educational needs in the school that they select for teaching practice.

Continuing Education Course for candidates who have admitted only with GCE A/L Qualification

Compulsory Continuing Education Course for exemption category 2

Teaching Practice

Teaching Practice will be conducted in two stages.

Stage I (Continuous Assessments)

This covers

i.          Teaching Practice over a minimum duration of 08 weeks (10 teaching periods per week) under taken by the students in their respective schools under the supervision of a master teacher and,

ii.          Teaching Practice over a minimum period of duration of 02 weeks  (10 teaching periods per week) undertaken by the students in a school where special needs education unit is available or in a special school under the supervision of a school associate.

Stage II (Final Examination)

This covers Teaching Practice undertaken by the student during 02 teaching periods in an arranged school under the supervision of a university lecturer or specialist in special needs education.

Pre-Requisites for Social Science Courses

Schedule 4 :  Exemptions

Exemption will be determined for those who have any other qualifications after evaluating each of the curricular of the certificate/diploma programs. It will be done on case by case basis. However, exemption granted candidates are deemed to have obtained a grade not higher than C.