Fourth-grade student Fatima Matooq has not let her hearing difficulties stand in the way of a fulfilling school experience, actively participating in competitions and events while building friendships and winning several top prizes.
A student at Fatima Bint Asad Primary Girls School, she has also joined the Girl Guides team and made a determined effort to engage fully alongside her classmates.
Much of her progress has been supported by a comprehensive individualised plan developed by her speech and language teacher, Hashimiya Mahfoodh, in collaboration with her subject teachers and the learning difficulties teacher.
The plan takes into account Fatima’s needs, abilities and level, with an initial focus on her auditory, speech and language skills before gradually placing greater emphasis on her personal development and involvement in school life.
“This plan not only focused on improving her hearing, speech, and language skills but also emphasised her personal development and enhanced her integration and participation in all aspects of school life,” said Ms Mahfoodh, adding that the support goes beyond the speech therapy classroom.
“We provide opportunities for her to take part in morning assemblies, school events, activities, and competitions. These experiences have boosted her self-confidence, helped her build positive relationships with her classmates and enabled her to discover her own abilities and potential.”
Ms Mahfoodh explained that the approach develops as the student progresses, with the focus shifting from specific communication goals towards building greater confidence and independence once those objectives are achieved.
Stories also play an important role in reinforcing learning and developing language skills.
“Once a student masters a particular letter, we introduce a suitable story for them to read and practise together before encouraging them to continue reading it at home,” she said. “This helps solidify what she has learned, develops her language skills, and supports her personal development.”
Fatima’s family expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Ms Mahfoodh, the staff at Fatima Bint Asad Primary School for Girls, and the Education Ministry, for their commitment to supporting students with health conditions and special needs and ensuring they are given opportunities to participate fully in public school life.
&uuid=(email))