Caption: Ms. Nina Fuad, Graduate Class of 2015, and Ms. Helene Seiler, former ISKL Board Member pictured receiving the award in London on behalf of ISKL. #isawards2019
The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) has won the prestigious International School Leader Awards in the category Initiative for Inclusion for its unique Life-Centered Education (LCE) program which supports the needs of students with diagnosed intellectual or developmental differences.
The award was accepted by Ms. Helene Seiler, former ISKL Board Member, and Ms. Nina Fuad, Class of 2015 who is in her final year at the London School of Economics, at the International School Awards night in London on January 21, 2019. The Awards were hosted by the UK’s International School Leader Magazine with the support of ISC Research and included nominations from schools in 38 different countries. ISKL congratulates the runners-up in the Initiative for Inclusion category, St Andrews International Bangkok, Thailand, and Sunmarke School, UAE.
Head of School at ISKL, Dr. Norma Hudson expressed her delight at receiving the award, “ISKL and our LCE team are so proud to be recognized by our peers and it is especially exciting as this is the first year the awards have been open to all international schools”.
Dr. Hudson continues, “LCE is the culmination of many years of planning and hard work and is an integral component in achieving our mission is to be an inclusive school and support each and every student in becoming a highly successful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen. In addition to developing social and academic skills, the program builds self-esteem, independence, and self-advocacy preparing students for the future. Our approach to inclusivity has also benefited our entire school community by fostering greater understanding, respect, and acceptance of differences and diversity.”
ISKL’s LCE program began in Middle School in 2015, expanded into High School in 2018, and is being developed in Elementary School to create a fully inclusive school. The High School LCE program is the only one of its kind available to older students in Kuala Lumpur.
The program provides students with diagnosed intellectual or developmental differences with customized instruction and support from a team of highly trained special educators, counselors, and educational psychologists. The primary focus of LCE is on teaching literacy, mathematics, social skills, and life skills in the least restrictive and most integrated environment possible. Students accessing the LCE program spend at least half of their schedule with peers in mainstream classes and are integrated into all aspects of school life including academics, sports teams, and after school activities as well as ISKL’s Global Action Program which increases students’ awareness of emerging global issues by involving them in a range of cultural, environmental, and service opportunities within Southeast Asia. Where needed, individualized direct intervention is provided in the areas of need including reading comprehension, writing, social skills, and independent living skills, and are provided in specially designed LCE classrooms at ISKL’s new Ampang campus which opened in August 2018.
ISKL’s philosophy of inclusion extends throughout the school with a dedicated Learning Resource team providing support to students with mild to moderate learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, learning differences in literacy and numeracy, and challenges in executive functioning.
