The Department of Special Needs Education of the Faculty of Education offers this programme in January 2009. This is a 15 month programme, consists of two semesters. The Medium of Instruction is in all three media. The target group is Graduate teachers those who are interested in Inclusive Education. Now the programme conducts only at the Colombo,Kandy,Batticuloa and  Jaffna Regional Centres.

Specific Objectives:

To enable the participants to perform effectively as teachers by-Enhancing knowledge and understanding related to Inclusive Education-Becoming familiar with accepted theories and practices in Special Needs Education -Developing positive attitudes in working with children who have special needs-Developing skills needed through practical work in special needs education-   Sensitisation to current issues related to the specific needs of individuals and groups placed in special circumstances - Strengthening capability in interacting with parents of children with special needs

Graduate teachers in regular or special schools or any other recognised/approved educational institute.

Duration of the Programme- Fifteen Months.

Curriculum

Courses in the programme of study leading to the Award of the Post Graduate Diploma in Special Needs Education

Level 6

First Semester

Educational Technology course (ESP1232) in Semester I includes special methods in teaching and for this the students can select one or two subjects from the following.

1.     Buddhism/Hinduism/Christianity/Islam

2.     Sinhala /Tamil

3.     English Language

4.     Social Studies

5.     Science

6.     Mathematics

7.     Commerce

8.     Home Economics

9.     Integrated subjects of the primary school

It would be more appropriate to select the same subject/subjects, selected for special methods in teaching for teaching practice also.

Second Semester

Evaluation

Evaluation includes,

1.  Continuous assessment by means of compulsory assignments
2. Written examination at the end of each semester. This will be allowed only to those who get eligibility from continuous assessments.
   

Teaching Practice

Teaching Practice will be conducted in two stages.

Stage I (Continuous Assessments)This covers

1. Teaching Practice over a minimum duration of 08 weeks(9-12 teaching periods per week) under taken by the students in their respective schools under the supervision of a master teacher  AND       
2. Teaching Practice over a minimum period duration of 02 weeks  (9-12 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.

Exemptions

Exemptions to be granted to those who possess the following qualifications are set out below.

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