<P> A special school is a school catering for students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioural problems . Special schools may be specifically designed, staffed and resourced to provide appropriate special education for children with additional needs . Students attending special schools generally do not attend any classes in mainstream schools . </P> <P> Special schools provide individualised education, addressing specific needs . Student to teacher ratios are kept low, often 6: 1 or lower depending upon the needs of the children . Special schools will also have other facilities for children with special needs, such as soft play areas, sensory rooms, or swimming pools, which are necessary for treating students with certain conditions . </P> <P> A Montessori is another type of special school but is a different approach to teaching in the classroom, as compared to a mainstream school . A Montessori approach is to let the child be enticed into educational activities by their own interests and own time . this approach helps children with learning difficulties go at their own pace . this approach has increased in popularity with just over 300 in Australia . </P> <P> In recent times, places available in special schools are declining as more children with special needs are educated in mainstream schools . However, there will always be some children, whose learning needs cannot be appropriately met in a regular classroom setting and will require specialised education and resources to provide the level of support they require . An example of a disability that may require a student to attend a special school is intellectual disability . However, this practice is often frowned upon by school districts in the USA in the light of Least Restrictive Environment as mandated in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . </P>

Discuss the development of special education in zambia