Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Special Education
SPECIAL EDUCATION-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION AND WHO IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER?
Special education is a field of study specially designed to address the unique needs of a student eligible to receive special education services. It is a form of learning provided to students with exceptional needs, such as students with learning disabilities or mental challenges.
A Special Education Teacher is someone who educates children who face physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities.
WHERE DO SPECIAL EDUCATION GRADUATES WORK?
Graduates of special education work in various settings, such as media houses like ZNBC, MUVI TV, DIAMOND TV where they do sign languages interpretation for news and other TV programs. They also work in schools and child care centers. Special education teachers work with children who have different physical, mental and emotional disabilities. They assess the skills of these children and adopt lesson plans based on their specific needs. They monitor the performance of the children in class and discuss their progress with parents and counselors. Special education teachers may work in private schools like Proactive WAYS Academy in Lusaka and public schools like Chileshe Chepela in Kasama Zambia. A few may work with students in residential settings and hospitals. They also work for governmental organizations like The National Paralympic Committee of Zambia (NPCZ). And most of all they work for NGOs that have the interest for people living with disabilities. Some people who study special education may end up being normal teachers in a normal school.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
The day to day tasks for Special Education Teachers include: to develop teaching plans according to students’ learning needs. They search for activities and resources that can be easily adapted to each child’s educational requirements. They also collaborate with school counselors, occupational therapists, psychologists, and parents to help children develop and socialize.
They develop teaching plans according to students’ learning needs, Assessing children’s skills and learning requirements, collaborating with parents and school staff to track students’ progress. Assess students’ abilities and craft teaching plans, adapt learning materials to students’ needs, Keep track of and reflect on students’ progress, Monitor children’s behavioral patterns and arrange appropriate interventions if needed, Find engaging activities to teach skills (e.g. drawing and theater drama), Inform parents about their children’s performance and potential problems, Coach/mentor other professionals who work with children with disabilities, Collaborate with the support staff (e.g. school counselors and speech therapists) to create holistic intervention plans. Among other tasks.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A SPECIAL EDUCATION GRADUATE?
Special education teachers typically work during school hours. In addition to providing instruction during this time, they grade papers, update students’ records, and prepare lessons. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers or specialists before and after classes. Many work the traditional 9-month school year and have a 3-month break which usually comes after every term. Time for classes differ, some work from 07hrs to 12hrs while others report for work at 12hrs and knock off at 17hrs.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Demand for special education services and teachers in Zambia and around the world is on the rise as disabilities are being identified earlier and as children with disabilities are enrolled into special education programs. Zambian government and other well-meaning NGOs wish to maintain the same level of financial support for special education in every part of the country. This reduces the threat of employment layoffs due to government or NGO budget constraints. However, employment growth may depend on increases in funding.
The graduates of special education find jobs as rehabilitation counselors. Rehabilitation counselors work in assisted living facilities, private rehab centers, prisons, and school systems, government-run programs that help people and children with disabilities gain or regain independence. Oftentimes, it's assumed that when a person faces unusual challenges, be they developmental, physical, emotional, or a combination of these and others, that what he or she needs can be handled through education. They also find jobs as special education tester, screening for unique challenges is necessary so that early diagnosis can result in early intervention and education that can more effectively benefit affected individuals and their families.
They also find jobs as special education specialist for some students whose learning disabilities are especially challenging, simply occupying a space in a special education classroom is unlikely to yield desired results. In situations like this, special education specialists are called upon to help students with needs that can't be adequately served by a more traditional special educational approach. They also find jobs as educational diagnostician. Through the use of diagnostic tests, educational diagnosticians assess students' learning disabilities to guide everyone involved in a child's educational plan toward the best educational goals, practices, and options for him or her.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy being a special education teacher you need to be someone who has communication skills. Special education teachers discuss students' needs and performances with general education teachers, parents and administrators. They also explain difficult concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand. You also need to be full of resourcefulness. Special education teachers develop different ways to present information in a manner that meets the needs of their students. They also help general education teachers adapt their lessons to the needs of students with disabilities. You also need to be someone with Patience. Working with students with special needs and different abilities can be difficult. Special education teachers should be patient with each student, because some may need the instruction given aloud, at a slower pace, or in writing.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Special Education
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
When you enrol to study special education in Zambia, you are expected to study the following subjects: Origins and Development of Special Education in Zambia, Sociology of Education, Psychology of the Primary School Child, Educational Psychology( Secondary), Typical and Atypical Child Development, Teaching Children with Intellectual Disability, Identification, Assessment and Placement Process of Children with, Various Impairments, Teaching Children with Physical Disabilities and Health Impairments, Language and Communication Disorder, Neuropsychology, Educational Administration & Management in Sp. Ed, Research Project in Special Education and Research Project in Special Education.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
To study special education at any institution in Zambia you need to have the following: Five “O” level credits including English Language or a Zambian language and Three “O” level credits in any of the following subjects: History, Geography, French, English Literature, Mathematics, Commerce, Additional Mathematics, Science or Physical Science or Biology or Agricultural Science and Religious Education.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER?
An alternative program to special education is Social Work, Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. But typically a Zambian special education teacher, one needs to have a degree in special education.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Experienced teachers can advance to become mentors or lead teachers who help less experienced teachers improve their teaching skills. Teachers may become school counsellors, instructional coordinators and elementary, middle and high school principals. These positions generally require additional education, an advanced degree, or certification. An advanced degree in education especially masters will earn you jobs like Rehabilitation counsellor. If you hope to be a rehabilitation counsellor, a special education teacher, or a diagnostician, a master's degree in special education will get you there.
With a master’s in special education, you can play a role in aiding students with exceptional needs by creating diagnostic tests designed to identify what a child's needs and challenges may be. Many companies need people trained in special education to develop and administer diagnostic tests so educators, parents, and physicians can properly assist children with developmental and learning challenges.
A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to finding new jobs in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a college or university lecturer as well.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER SPECIAL EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 4 years (Degree) / 2 years (Master’s)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January only
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +26 021 125 1381
E-mail: dean-edu@unza.zm
Website: www.unza.zm/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-education-special-education-1st-year-entry
ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
Programme duration: 3 years ((Diploma) / 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January only
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: + 0211 237204
Facebook: Zambia Institute of Special Education - GRZ
CHALIMBANA UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January and July
Location: Chongwe-Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 974 115 647
E-mail: info@chau.edu.zm
Website: www.chau.ac.zm/content/fees
ZAMBIA OPEN UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years degree
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260211427600 or +260969-672965 or +260976123055
E-mail: admissions@zaou.ac.zm / nelson.mwape@zaou.ac.zm
Website: zaou.ac.zm/school-of-education/
GIDEON ROBERT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Teacher Education
Intakes: January and June/July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260969899875
E-mail: vc@gideonrobertyuniversity.com
Website: www.gideonrobert.education
UNIVERSITY OF BAROTSELAND
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time and Open Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January and June/July
Location: Senanga Road-Mongu - Western Province
Contacts
Tel: +26 0217 221153 or +26 0977 129730 or +26 0977 430928
E-mail: admissions@ubl.edu.zm
Facebook: University of Barotseland
SUNNINGDALE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 976 842 520
E-mail: info@sunningdaleuniversity.ac.zm
Website: Sunningdale University Kabulonga
PAMODZI UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, open, Distance Learning
Admitting school: Faculty of Education
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260-976-726864 or +260-966-726864
E-mail: info@pamodziuniversity.edu.zm