Scope Creep: choices that I had to make
Some years ago, I taught in Ireland after I decided to leave the corporate world for good in Italy. I worked for a school with special needs children that included autistic, ADHD, physically and sexually abused kids. The class that I had taken over had nine teachers who had given up on them in the span of three years. I was the tenth. It was a daunting situation in the beginning but turned out to be an enriching experience.
During these years, game boys were starting to populate amongst my students and interest for internet games and activities were starting to influence the teaching and learning in the classroom. Coming from an IT background, my principal had offered me a project to set the IT laboratory specifically set up for my class.
I was then taking some courses in IT at the Trinity College, Dublin and I had thought of engaging a part of my class for this project. The budget of €15,000 was approved by the board of the school and additional €2,000 from the parents. With these figures in mind, I did a project schedule and a budget allocation for both human and material resources. We needed manpower especially for setting up the lab as well as ordering furniture to suit especially the special needs students if they were accommodated in this project. This was one condition I accepted the project.
As it turned out, furniture as well as the software for these kids with special needs had used up about €12,000 of the total budget. With only €5,000 left, I had to explain and justify my request for an increase of funding. I had to do it fast as the Easter break was fast approaching we had a two week break. I wanted to get some work done during the break so I would not have to worry about my teaching time.
To my surprise, my request for funding was approved a week before the break. However, when I looked at the condition, the funding can only be released if I was totally to remove the area planned for the special needs children. I read the condition hoping I had understood it wrongly but it was right! My heart sunk. It was for my class which had the most special needs students that the project was conceived. I thought I had explained it clearly in my project proposal/charter which all stakeholders signed and agreed before approving the project. Why were the special needs children being discriminated? The reason stated was that special needs students do not need to avail of technology but basic skills in order to cope with their learning disabilities.
I met with my principal and discussed alternatives. I had to re-write the proposal and find cheaper resources for these students just as to provide them with this opportunity. I also realigned the resources especially the human resources asking my classmates on my course not to be paid if possible. The response to my appeal was a big NO! With a heavy heart, I continued on to finish the project three months later but my real goal was not achieved. I learned that the project was later implemented after three years when the a law was passed by the Minister of Education requiring all schools to provide a venue for special needs children to have an opportunity to work in technology.
In hindsight, I should have been present during the presentation of the project rather than entrusting it to my principal who had no clue of the ins and outs of it. When I was refused for an increase of funding, I should have not accepted the increment but rather worked around the initial budget so as not to compromise the real aim of the project. I should have included the participation of the parent board to get more voice in the whole project. Lastly, I had just arrived in Ireland and was getting to know the culture around the community. After three years of living there, I would have asked advice from various sectors to fight for my cause. I thought knowing the principal and having an IT background was enough to get through. It needed much more than this.
Malu
