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This article reports a study conducted on children's social, emotional and behavioural difficulties ( SEBD) in a single pre-primary school in Bangalore, with the objective of developing a behaviour management policy for use by teachers. Limited evidence is available in the Indian literature in the area of SEBD and it remains important to know how the teachers address behaviour in their classrooms and what proposals they have for the provision of effective support for these children in schools. Eight teachers who had expressed concerns about children's SEBD were selected for the study. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from these teachers. The first part of the study was focused upon the teachers' understanding of the concept of SEBD and the characteristics associated with this label that they encounter in the classroom. Further attempts were made to explore teachers' strategies and 'solutions' to meet such difficulties in their classrooms. The paper discusses the adaptable framework with guidelines for teachers, formulated from the data gathered from the study, together with ideas accumulated through the use of relevant literature to address SEBD in early years settings in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education of girls in India lags behind that of boys and several communities in India fare worse than others. Because of their secondary status in the society, Indian girls tend to suffer from low self-esteem. Thus, it is necessary to study the reasons why girls are being discouraged from attending and completing school as well as what are the expectations mothers have from them when compared to their male siblings. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with the participants. Of 15 mothers, 12 completed the questionnaires; of these, five mothers were interviewed, and their data was used to present the findings of a comparative study on the maternal expectations on academic achievements in primary school children residing in Urban Bangalore, South. This study also throws light on some of the peripheral issues that emerge while considering maternal expectations on academic outcomes. The study examines how maternal expectations might differ in the case of boys versus girls within an Indian context, particularly within an urban setting in Bangalore, Karnataka. No differences were seen in the expectations mothers had of their sons compared to their daughters, but several other issues emerged. The results of this study may not be used conclusively as this is just a small-scale research project and hence no generalisation can be made to address such prevalent cultural issues in India, particularly in Urban South Bangalore, Karnataka, South India. The results of this study illustrate the need for more literature within the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Girls with disabilities from lower economic homes are disadvantaged (in terms of gender, disability and poverty) in India, and are often regarded as useless by their communities. There is a need to improve and provide a chance for self-sufficiency among women with disabilities in India. The purpose of this study was to examine the life-chances (i.e. the likelihood of living a self-sufficient life) of girls with disabilities in rural India and subsequently suggest ways through which one can improve these life chances. The study was a single-case study that used data from semi-structured interviews carried out in rural Bangalore. It was found, based on the interviews and available literature on the issue, that women with disabilities are at a disadvantage, especially those in rural settings. The most significant factors that seem to affect the life chances of the subject in the study were parental hesitation, a lack of opportunities and low self-esteem and confidence. The study suggests awareness programmes, counselling and the implementation of home-based education services as some ways through which the life-chances of girls with disabilities are likely to improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years a number of western universities have established professional development courses in international contexts. These have often involved tutors travelling to countries with which they may have previously had little contact, in order to deliver courses that have been long established in their own universities. This article discusses some of the challenges of working in international contexts, and suggests that respectful professional development must be founded upon equitable partnerships that involve local colleagues. It is suggested that time needs to be invested in understanding national and local initiatives in order to place these within the context of international developments, and that knowledge of local schools and resources is essential to the effective development and delivery of courses. The article is based upon the experiences of tutors from the UK who have been working alongside colleagues from India in the delivery of professional development over many years, and more recently in the management of an MA programme in Special and Inclusive Education in Bangalore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws upon a study completed in a specific school in Bangalore where most children enter at the pre-school level and continue till high school. While the particular children in the study constitute a small number - four - it was observed that questions of identity mainly arose when they started questioning the circumstances behind their adoption, were curious about their biological roots and searched for answers about their state of belonging. The findings in this study derive from observation of these children from the pre-primary level to high school, supplemented by discussions, interviews and feedback from teachers who have worked with them, the parents of the adopted children, fieldwork and personal interactions, and show that sensitive handling and nurturing are essential in helping these children overcome the difficulties they experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we report on various initiatives taken by the government since India's independence in 1947 to provide education to school-aged children with disabilities. The majority of children with disabilities still remain out of school. We make an attempt to identify the challenges that the country continues to face in providing education to this population and possible ways in which the challenges could be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]