By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED) has successfully concluded a two-day refresher training session for Civic Education teachers and relevant stakeholders in Karene District.
The training, which took place under the theme of promoting inclusivity and empowering students with disabilities, brought together eight participants — four primary school teachers and four secondary school teachers drawn from different educational institutions across the district.
The event aimed at enhancing the capacity of civic educators to better implement inclusive teaching strategies, particularly in the context of children living with disabilities.
In his keynote presentation, Abdulai Turay, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Social Welfare, highlighted the pivotal role of Civic Education being taught in shaping responsible, patriotic citizens. He emphasized that these teachers serve as vital knowledge banks for pupils and play an integral role in developing a more inclusive society.
Turay pointed out that many of the barriers faced by children with disabilities originate from their homes and communities, placing additional responsibility on teachers to instill confidence in such children through inclusive classroom practices and positive reinforcement.
He warned against the dangers of preferential treatment, urging teachers to treat children with disabilities as equals to foster integration and resilience.
“School-Related Gender-Based Violence, especially against persons with disabilities, often leaves lasting psychological scars,” Turay stated. He encouraged educators to use words of encouragement and actively involve all students in classroom activities to enhance their self-esteem and participation.
The second session of the training focused on reviewing the Civic Education Curriculum and Lesson Plan Manual, particularly on how concepts such as Good Governance, Justice, and Tolerance are taught in relation to persons with disabilities. A key feature of the revised manual is the inclusion of notable Sierra Leonean personalities who have served in various leadership roles, aimed at inspiring young learners through real-life examples.
Fatmata Kargbo, a Civic Education teacher at Wuroh Memorial Junior Secondary School, spoke about the societal stigma attached to children with disabilities, noting that such children are often wrongly labeled as troublesome, a stereotype that contributes to their marginalization. “My Civics classes allow every child to participate, and this has helped build the leadership skills and confidence of children with disabilities,” she said.
Hindolo John Langba, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at NaCCED, recommended that NaCCED and SightSavers conduct a follow-up assessment to evaluate the implementation of the action plans discussed during the training.
District Officer Ibrahim Sorie Sesay of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) praised the ongoing partnership between TSC and NaCCED, reiterating their shared commitment to inclusive education. He assured that efforts will continue to ensure no child is left behind, regardless of their physical or mental abilities.
Alphan Tajawie, Director of Curriculum Development and Training at NaCCED, stressed the importance of involving children with disabilities in school and community activities, especially recreational ones, as such help build trust and social integration.
Deputy Director of Education in Karene District, Mr. Foday Conteh, applauded NaCCED for clearly distinguishing between Social Studies and Civic Education through updated textbooks, making Civics more accessible and relevant.
The initiative, part of the broader “A Better World” project, encourages physically challenged and visually impaired students to dream big and become impactful citizens.
