Students help handicapped

By Janet Bogle

A Meeting of students involved in the Volunteer Programme for Helping Handicapped Children was held at the Gymnasium recently.

More than 50 students are involved in the scheme.

Some work individually with a particular child.

Others are helping in classes for deaf children, and "special classes" for children with below-average intelligence.

Others are involved with normal children at an unorthodox and progressive private school run by Mrs Bell.

Mr Frank Fillary, of the Psychological Service of the Department of Education spoke about special education in Wellington.

He said "for backward children there are 'special Classes' in some primary schools and 'Vocation Opportunity classes' in secondary schools".

Moderately retarded, or "intellectually handicapped", children attend "Occupation Centres".

"These days they are actually beginning to teach children reading", Mr Fillary said.

Before it was thought that only the simple personal, physical, and social skills could be taught at Occupation Centres.

"One student is endeavouring to develop a language amongst those children who have no language at all", he said.

He thought the main problems facing special education were the restricted budget and the shortage of trained teachers.