BIS - An Inclusive School
3 min read 14 Dec 2021, 06:42 PM ISTBIS is one of the few schools in India that includes ALL children in every activity within the school, allowing them to learn from one another and developing compassion and acceptance from a very early age
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“It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education". These words by Nelson Mandela resonate with every parent’s desire to give their children the best according to their ability. While the education system in India has developed by leaps and bounds, it has not yet fully grasped inclusivity at all levels. The reason for this is not because schools do not want to, but because they do not know how to. Every child is unique and needs to be handled in a different way. Some grasp faster than others while some take their time; some learn to tie their shoelaces at 3 while some don’t get it right even at 8. These are small examples, but then there are children who have special needs, need extra care and attention and most of all time and love. Most schools in India find it incredibly difficult to integrate these children into mainstream education but isn’t that exactly what they need and want- to be accepted like anyone else.
There are several international and national schools as well as private institutions in India’s Silicon Valley - Bangalore; nevertheless, it has separate schools for kids who need that extra care and attention. This had long been the case until Bangalore International School created a Learning Centre for children with special needs children while integrating them into the regular school system. BIS is one of the few schools in India that includes ALL children in every activity within the school, allowing them to learn from one another and developing compassion and acceptance from a very early age.
All of the children at BIS eat together, they even attend sports day together there is no ‘pecial sports day’, they all participate in cultural activities based on their individual ability and they all are given equal opportunity to engage in activities that nurture their unique, individual tastes. BIS has truly grasped the notion of inclusion and created an environment that is rich in compassion and creativity in which all students freely mingle accepting and appreciating differences and strengths. The Learning Centre has its own Section Coordinator who oversees all matters pertaining to the Learning Centre, and HODs who oversee each student’s program. The Centre, which opened in 2003, assigns each student to a grade where the Home Room teacher oversees attendance, class participation and looks into all other needs. A chaperone is assigned to each child who needs close assistance through the day; nonetheless, every child is encouraged and trained to function independently.
The Learning Centre (LC) provides the following facilities to the children:
- Accommodations during school assessments and external examinations
- Support from a special educator in the mainstream classroom (Grades 1 to 8)
- Subject specific remedial help
- An individualized academic program at the LC
- Secondary (Grade 10) and Senior Secondary (Grade 12) NIOS program
- Speech/Language therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
The Learning Centre, like the rest of the school, believes in activity-based learning, and has organized Swimming classes, Gross Motor sessions and Equine Therapy for students. A certified practitioner in the LC provides Arts Based Therapy intervention. Educational trips / field visits are held to reinforce ideas that are included in the students’ IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals. Recreational day trips and overnight trips are also organized every year.
The LC has grown and established a prominent place for itself as one of the few in the country thanks to the qualified team that mans this section of the school. Parents of the children going to the LC are at complete peace knowing their kids are safe and in good hands. The parents of children attending LC can rest easy knowing that their children are in safe and caring hands. Schools around the country should take a inspiration from BIS and raise awareness about inclusion.
“Our thoughts and hearts at BIS are open to the concept of 'It's acceptable to be different.' We think that every child is capable and has something unique to offer; all we have to do as adults is help them develop that capacity. Our teachers' commitment to our kids and their families, as well as our policy of setting high but realistic standards, have allowed every child to experience success. We believe in equitable access to education, not just equal opportunity. After all, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solutions!" - Ms. Sarika Singh, LC Coordinator.
Disclaimer: This is a company press release. No HT Journalist is involved in creation of this content.
