Special schools have a significant impact on society, promoting equal opportunities for students with special needs to become active members of their communities. By providing individualized education and support, special schools empower students with the tools they need to succeed and contribute to society.
Smrithi Special School is a prime example of the impact of these institutions, providing a nurturing environment and unique programs that give students with special needs access to global exposure and employment opportunities. Smrithi Special School is a charitable organization that is committed to uplifting the lives of individuals with special needs. Founded with the aim of bringing differently-abled individuals to the mainstream of living, the school caters exclusively to children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or behavioural problems. The school is registered with the Directorate of Public Instructions of the Government of Kerala under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
With a team of specialized staff and resources, the school provides appropriate special education to children with additional needs. The organization strives to empower its students with the knowledge and skills they need to live fulfilling lives. Smrithi Special School aims to create an inclusive society by raising awareness and understanding of the needs of differently-abled individuals.
By promoting inclusion and diversity, the school helps to break down stigmas and stereotypes associated with special needs. Smrithi Special School is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for its students to build confidence, socialize with peers, and develop essential life skills.
A Journey of Inclusion and Empowerment
Smrithi Special School, founded with 24 children and three teachers, has had an exhilarating journey since its inception. The school’s primary objective is to provide a home-like environment for its students while offering them equal academic opportunities. The founders of the school recognized the need for a special school that would cater to children with disabilities in India. Thus, the school’s mission is to nurture and challenge each student in all areas of development and curriculum.
The school believes in instilling a positive self-image and love for learning in its students. Smrithi Special School strives to prepare its students to be responsible members of society, leading to lifelong learning and personal growth. The school’s curriculum includes providing the highest quality of educational and therapeutic programming available to children with disabilities. The school has a dedicated team of teachers and therapists who work towards achieving the school’s goals.
Smrithi Special School’s vision is to recognize the undeniable right of differently-abled children to be equal members of society. The school believes in making this right a reality by providing equal opportunities to all its students. The core values of the school include the ambition for every child with special needs to reach their full potential in school and make a successful transition to adulthood and the future.
Smrithi Special School’s approach towards education is holistic. The school provides an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The school also aims to provide a sense of belonging to its students. The school’s curriculum includes extracurricular activities such as art, music, dance, sports, and life skills, allowing students to explore their interests and talents.
Nurturing Dreams and Fostering Growth
Currently, the school has about 90 children with different types of disabilities, including Autism, Down Syndrome, MR, and learning disabilities.
The school is specifically designed, staffed, and resourced to provide appropriate special education for children with additional needs. The school offers various features to promote holistic growth and development, such as value education, physical education, music and dance, cultural and recreational activities, social activities, vocational activities, assembly, computer education, yoga, and excursions.
In addition, the school has a website and Facebook page that provide information about admission procedures, achievements, and photo galleries. The school also conducts medical check-ups for its students by authorized visiting doctors and maintains a separate health card for each student to keep parents informed about their child’s health.
Smrithi Special School provides a safe and nurturing environment that allows its students to enjoy their education and gain confidence due to individual learning inputs, personal growth, and development. It is important for all children to receive proper education, regardless of their emotional, mental, physical, or developmental disabilities. Smrithi Special School is a place where inclusive education and growth are promoted and where every child can thrive.
The Driving Force Behind the Success
The success of any institution depends on the leadership and management skills of the person in charge. In the case of Smrithi Special School, Smt. Indira Premnath, the Founder, and Principal, has been the driving force behind its success. Smt. Indira’s lively and enthusiastic nature is infectious, and she treats everyone equally, making her a beloved figure in the school community.
One of the most impressive qualities of Smt. Indira is her availability to parents who have concerns. She is always ready to listen to them and takes quick action to resolve any issues. Her efficient management skills keep the school’s operations running smoothly, ensuring that both students and staff have everything they need.
Her motherly nature is especially beneficial to the kids who attend the school. She is a great friend and mentors to them, providing a warm and welcoming environment where they can learn and grow. Smt. Indira is actively involved in managing the school’s accounts, teachers, and extracurricular activities with ease. Her ability to multitask and manage several aspects of the school’s operations has played a vital role in the institution’s success.
The special school has made significant contributions to uplift the education of special kids in India. With a focus on providing equal academic opportunities, sports, music, art, and dance activities, Smrithi Special School ensures that the students have a well-rounded education. In today’s digital age, the school provides online classes and creates WhatsApp groups for each class, where they share educational videos regularly. This approach ensures that the students have access to quality education, regardless of their physical location.
Overcoming Hurdles
While Smrithi Special School has been successful in providing quality education to its students, the lack of funds remains a significant challenge. The school has yet to provide smart classrooms and a modern physiotherapy and sensory room. Nevertheless, the institution remains committed to providing its students with the best education possible.
Apart from academics, the school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities to engage the students. These activities include art, music, dance, tabla, sports, life skills, brain gym, yoga, functional math skills, baking, cooking, stitching, and embroidery classes. The school believes that extracurricular activities are essential for students’ development, providing them with opportunities to explore their interests and talents while also developing important skills.
Despite financial hurdles, Smrithi Special School has managed to provide an array of unique and beneficial extracurricular activities for its students. These activities not only help students to develop their skills but also provide them with opportunities for personal growth and global exposure. It is commendable how the school has adapted to the circumstances and provides a holistic education to students.
Celebrating Achievements
Smrithi Special School has achieved various accolades and recognitions, including winning laurels in dance from social organizations and the state-level youth festival of Kerala. The school has not only provided quality education but has also been successful in gaining employment opportunities for many of its students with reputed organizations. These achievements reflect the school’s commitment to empowering its students and preparing them for success in the future.
The school’s success can be attributed to its advice to special students globally: practice any skill for a few months, set goals, and work hard to achieve them. It’s important to maintain a positive outlook and never give up. This advice emphasizes the school’s commitment to its students’ holistic development and empowering them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
The future of the special school is bright, with a vision of including its students in society and providing them with employment opportunities in all possible areas. The school believes that every student has unique talents and abilities that can contribute to society. It is committed to nurturing these talents and providing its students with the tools they need to succeed.
