As a child suffering from cerebral palsy and intellectual and developmental disabilities, Ranetta (name changed) could not go to school unlike others her age. She used to be tutored privately by a teacher at home. This, despite she being enrolled into a school at Venmony, near Chengannur, a few years ago.
However, on Wednesday last week, Ranetta, now 10, went to a regular public school at Venmony and spent an entire day enjoying and connecting with the children of class V there. Thanks to ‘Changathikoottam’, an initiative of the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSA), which is helping children with special needs in the State attend regular schools at least once a week.
“As part of the Changathikoottam, teachers and children used to visit the house of children with special needs. They are also being provided home-based education once a week. As a next step, we are now helping the children attend regular schools, not special schools, at least once a week. This will help them mingle and interact with other students and do a world of good with regard to their development. We expect to implement the project in a comprehensive manner from the next academic year,” Reena T., resource teacher, Block Resource Centre, Chengannur, told The Hindu .
Across the State
Officials said that the project was being implemented across the State with the aim of making all schools differently abled-friendly. With differently abled students being able to attend regular schools, the Chengannur sub-district has recently been declared differently abled-friendly sub-district.
The Chengannur BRC is taking care of 43 children, including 26 children who have enrolled in educational institutions but are unable to attend schools owing to their condition.
To mainstream
“The aim of the project is to provide inclusive education to all children with special needs in the State and bring them to the mainstream. Their disabilities will not come in the way of getting them quality education. As the project moots, the children will be taken to regular schools on a more regular basis. They will also be given home-based training on other days,” Ms. Reena said.
