ABSTRACT
The special needs department has four major tasks: The identification of pupils with special needs which affect learning and the analysis of their problems, the planning and implementation of programmes to meet the needs of individuals. It also includes the monitoring of the progress of pupils with individual learning programmes and the support of other teachers in the school in dealing with these children. The identification of pupils with special needs should be followed by careful analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and problems of each individual, talking with the pupil and his or her parents, studying the pupil's work, testing, checking, and collecting comments from colleagues. The special needs department must plan and implement a programme of work for each pupil, which matches the needs which have been identified, either within the department or in collaboration with colleagues in subject departments. Pupils with difficulties need a good learning environment which is both functional and attractive.
