Officials along with the participants during the culmination of a two-day workshop on inclusive education and psychological well-being, held at Mokokchung College of Teacher Education (MCTE) on March 19.
Mokokchung, March 19 (MExN): A two-day workshop on inclusive education and psychological well-being, sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, Nagaland, began at Mokokchung College of Teacher Education (MCTE) on March 18, bringing together educators, student teachers, practitioners and teachers from inclusive schools.
The sessions were highly interactive, featuring hands-on activities aimed at promoting inclusive, empathetic and child-centred teaching practices.
The programme commenced with an address by MCTE Principal Dr T Alemla Longkumer, who introduced resource persons Kopele V Tepa, special educator and founder of Bumblebee Inclusive School and Society, Kohima, and Themmungla Raman Longkumer, founder of The Cloud Room, a counselling and psychological assessment centre in Kohima.
On the first day, discussions focused on understanding disabilities and diverse learner needs. Tepa emphasised moving beyond sympathy towards meaningful inclusion through early intervention, strength-based teaching and community involvement. She also highlighted challenges faced by parents, including stigma, systemic barriers and lack of awareness on policies and accessibility.
Raman Longkumer, in her session titled “Every Child, a Story in Progress,” stressed the importance of recognising each learner’s individuality and promoting mental health awareness. Through reflective exercises and mindfulness practices, participants explored the impact of labelling and the need to create safe learning spaces.
Practical strategies such as breaking instructions into smaller steps, encouraging effort over outcomes and incorporating breathing exercises were demonstrated.
The second day focused on classroom application, with sessions on mindful observation, behavioural analysis and communication strategies with parents. Participants were also trained to identify triggers, respond appropriately and refer children for further support when necessary.
Tepa introduced the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), emphasising multi-sensory teaching methods to enhance accessibility and retention. She also explained examination accommodations under the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), noting that such measures ensure equity without lowering academic standards.
The workshop concluded with participants gaining practical skills and insights, highlighting the need for empathy, adaptability and a deeper understanding of each child in promoting inclusive education.
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