SEMINAR
May 15 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Auditorium
Purdy/Kresge Library
Wayne State University

EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE IS NEVER NEUTRAL
IN AN UNEQUAL SOCIETY:
The Need For A New Education Mandate

Dr. Sigamoney Naicker
Chief Director. Education Planning
Western Cape Education Department
Cape Town, South Africa

The College of Education and the Michigan Whole Schooling Consortium are proud to sponsor this important seminar. Dr. Sigamoney Naicker has played a key role in policy and practice at the national level in developing inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities and other types of diversity as part of the effort to transform public schools in post-apartheid times. Dr. Naicker is an accomplished speaker and a deep thinker, rooted in the struggle to create a humane and caring society. The issues in creating opportunity in South Africa and the Detroit metropolitan area have many commonalities. Come join us for an engaging and thoughtful evening.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY: In South Africa many students drop out of school (42% in many provinces). Very few indigent children experience success and are eligible for higher education and the world of work. A substantial number of black youth are unemployed. We must raise serious questions about the relevance of the core business of educational policy and practice. We will explore these issues and consider ways to develop programs, use of fiscal resources, and establish collaboration between higher education, business, and government to create a new vision and mandate for education that will serve all children.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr. Sigamoney Naicker has worked in many educational roles: teacher, faculty member at the University of Western Cape, Head of Learning Support in Provincial Government, Director of Inclusive Education in National Government, and, now, Chief Director Education Planning in the Western Cape Education Department. He has many publications including, most recently, a chapter entitled Inclusive Education in South Africa: An Emerging pedagogy of possibility (International Paradigms published by Routledge Falmer: London).