Osnovna sola Jela Janezica

Jela Janežič Primary School (Osnovna šola Jela Janežiča) is a primary school for children with special needs. The school educates kids with intellectual disabilities and helps children and youngsters with specific learning difficulties in regular mainstream kinder gardens and primary schools. It is located in Škofja Loka, a medieval town 25 km from Ljubljana (capital of Slovenia). Our program is attended by 135 pupils, who are between 6 and 26 years old. Classes are smaller than in mainstream schools (from 7 to 11 pupils in one class). Pupils of our school come from the various social and economic environment. Majority of pupils commute up to 30 km with specially organized transport because they are not capable to use public transport. At the beginning of a school year an Individualised program for each child is written and then presented to the parents that are also important members of a team. Our goal is to develop the pupil’s potential. There are two programmes in our school: 1. ADAPTED BASIC SCHOOL PROGRAMME WITH LOWER EDUCATIONAL STANDARD The programme is provided for pupils with general learning difficulties. It comprises 9 grades, and the age of pupils is from 6 to 15 years. Upon the completion of the programme, the elementary education or 7 grades of the primary school are recognized. They are able to continue their education in basic vocational training, and later also in secondary school programmes. 2. SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME The programme is attended by students aged from 6 to 21 years with major development needs. Students are advancing through 5 levels, according to their age. The purpose of the programme is to learn to live as independently as possible. Upon the completion of education, students are usually included in the Lifelong Learning Programme – Training for life and work which is provided for young adults aged from 21 to 26 years. They learn about the elements of various vocations, carry out the practice and many specific tasks that are designed for them. They fill their free time creatively. Upon the completion of the programme, they shall enroll in the OAC – Occupational Activity Centre. Our school cooperates with regular mainstream schools and kinder gardens. Our teachers provide additional professional help to children and pupils with deficits in specific areas of learning and with other disabilities in kindergartens and primary schools. 10 of our teachers help pupils with special needs that are integrated into regular mainstream schools and kinder gardens. With them, they work individually, help them to overcome their learning difficulties and advise teachers about inclusion.