Noida-based Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan (MBCN, esb 1999) completed 25 years of marked service in the field of special education this year. As the commended school celebrates this milestone and lives transformed, Curriculum Magazine sought this opportunity to speak with Dr Vandana Sharma, Director and Chairperson, Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan – The Ponty Chadha Foundation, to talk about the journey and reflect on key special education issues in present context. Here are excerpts of the conversation:
Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan turned 25 years this year. How would you sum up this landmark journey?
The journey of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan over the past 25 years has been one of resilience, growth, and impact. Founded with a vision to provide quality special education and support for individuals with special needs, the school has evolved into a beacon of hope for many families. As we celebrate this milestone, the school has supported countless success stories, transformed lives and achieved several milestones. Must mention, dedicated staff, innovative teaching methods, and community involvement have played pivotal roles in this success.
Throughout its history, the school has focused on creating a nurturing environment that fosters independence, confidence, and social skills among its students. Looking ahead, there’s an opportunity to further enhance its programs, reach more students, and continue advocating for inclusivity and awareness in the broader community.
Let’s hear about a couple of these success stories as brief case studies?
The unstoppable Kartik Verma:
Kartik is a 21-year-old boy hailing from Noida, with an impaired hearing condition with delayed speech and language development has studied at MCBN. Despite his communication disabilities, Kartik incessantly maintained a good academic performance at school and has passed his Sr. Secondary education from MBCN through NIOS, and is currently pursuing his Polytechnic in Electronic and Communication Engineering from Panchkula, Chandigarh.
Kartik has not only been effectively overcoming an unimaginable disability with ease but has also not let it ever come in the way of his talents. His excellence in sports ranges from Karate, Jujutsu, Kung Fu to Taekwondo. Besides being an outstanding sports man, Kartik is a great dancer too. Proving to be an inspiration to hundreds of other people with disabilities, in 2018 Kartik was awarded as the ‘Best Dancer of the Year’ by MCBN.
He got the Silver Medal for India in Newaza -46Kg category in “World JU-Jitsu Championship-2018” at Abu Dhabi and created the history. This is the first medal for India in the History of Ju-Jitsu World Championship.
Jatin Kanojia, a kid with Cerebral Palsy leaving behind all odds
Jatin is a 25-year-old enthusiastic boy from Delhi’s Ghazipur. The boy is with Cerebral Palsy but has never let this define him. Despite his disabilities, Jatin worked hard to successfully complete his education by passing his XIIth standard exams through NIOS board and by completing his graduation from Delhi University. Refuting all impossibilities, Jatin displayed exceptional commitment towards living a normal life and joined the Wave Group in 2016 as a Computer Operator. Despite the odds working against him, Jatin has remained undeterred towards building a career and is working at his job with full vigor.
These stories reflect the school’s commitment to fostering potential and creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
That is very inspiring indeed. For information of parents and society at large, could you please tell us how to get admission in MBCN and is there a residential provision for outstation children? How do you partner with parents?
Parents can obtain an application form from the school’s office or website. It typically requires basic information about the child and their specific needs. After submitting the application, the school usually conducts an assessment to understand the child’s abilities and requirements. This may involve interviews with parents and evaluations by special educators and therapists. Parents may need to provide documentation, such as medical reports, previous educational records, and any assessments conducted by professionals. A meeting with the child and their family may be scheduled to discuss expectations, support systems, and the child’s individual needs. Following the assessment and interview, the school will communicate its decision, outlining any recommended programs or services.
As far as hostel is concerned, Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan doesn’t offers residential facilities for children.
Partnership with Parents
The school emphasizes collaboration with parents to create a supportive network for each child. Here are some ways they partner with families:
- Regular Communication: Frequent updates about the child’s progress, challenges, and achievements through meetings, newsletters, or parent-teacher conferences.
- Involvement in Decision-Making: Parents are encouraged to participate in discussions about their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and the strategies that will be implemented.
- Workshops and Training: The school often conducts workshops for parents on various topics related to disabilities, parenting strategies, and ways to support their child’s development at home.
- Support Groups: Establishing support groups where parents can share experiences, challenges, and successes, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Inviting parents to provide feedback on school programs and initiatives, ensuring their voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
This collaborative approach helps build a strong foundation for each child’s educational journey, ensuring that both parents and the school work together towards the child’s success.
Thank you for this piece of value of information. Now let’s talk a little about (NEP) policy push for inclusive education. It lays emphasis on integration rather than segregating special need children. What are your views on this considering practical aspects while keep scenario of our country in mind?
Inclusive education is a vital step towards ensuring that all children, regardless of their abilities, have access to quality education. In the context of India, where diversity in needs and resources is significant, several insights and practical aspects must be considered for effective implementation, Changing Mindsets, there’s a need to shift societal attitudes towards disabilities. Awareness campaigns can help demystify disabilities and promote understanding and acceptance within mainstream schools and communities.
Tailored Approaches, to recognize the unique needs of each child and adapt teaching methods accordingly. Educators must receive proper training in inclusive practices. Professional development programs should focus on strategies for differentiated instruction, behaviour management, and understanding specific disabilities.
We still have to go a long way to equip mainstream schools for inclusion, as the mainstream schools should have resources and infrastructure that meets the need of children with special needs. Specially for children with severe needs who are not educable, they should be placed in a more comfortable space like a segregated special need school or an integrated set up.
Practical Aspects
Strong government policies must support inclusive education. This includes clear guidelines, funding for resources, and accountability measures for schools to implement inclusive practices effectively. Building strong partnerships with parents and specialists (like occupational therapists, speech therapists) can help create individualized education plans (IEPs) that cater to the needs of each child. Involving the local community in discussions about inclusion can help build support networks, raise awareness, and create a more inclusive environment beyond the classroom. By addressing these aspects, India can work towards a more inclusive education system that benefits all students, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for children with special needs.
AI is seen as boon for children with disabilities. Share your perspective on how such technologies are going to help children and what kind of preparation institutions need to undertake to integrate such tools? Have you adopted any of these?
AI can adapt educational content to meet individual learning styles and paces. This customization can help children with varying abilities to grasp concepts more effectively. For non-verbal or speech-impaired students, AI-driven communication apps and devices can facilitate interaction and expression, enabling them to engage more fully in their education. AI-powered applications can provide interactive and engaging learning experiences, making subjects more accessible and enjoyable for children with learning disabilities.
Preparations for Institutions
- Infrastructure Investment: Schools must ensure they have the necessary technological infrastructure, including reliable internet access, devices, and software.
- Training for Educators: Teachers should receive training on how to use AI tools effectively in the classroom, including understanding their benefits and limitations.
- Curriculum Integration: Institutions should explore how to incorporate AI tools into the existing curriculum in a meaningful way, ensuring they complement educational goals.
- Collaboration with Experts: Partnering with technology developers and specialists in special education can help schools choose appropriate tools and implement them effectively.
- Parent and Community Engagement: Involving parents and the community in discussions about technology integration can foster support and understanding, ensuring a cohesive approach to using these tools.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing systems for ongoing feedback from students, parents, and educators will help refine the use of AI tools and ensure they meet the needs of all learners.
- Lastly, tell us about your ongoing improvement programs and future plans. What is your vision for next 25 years?
Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan is committed to continuous improvement and innovation to enhance the educational experience for students with special needs. Here are some ongoing programs and future plan, which include regularly updating the curriculum to incorporate new teaching methods, technology, and therapeutic approaches that cater to diverse learning needs. Offering ongoing training for educators and staff in special education best practices, including workshops and the use of assistive technologies. Strengthening partnerships with parents through workshops, support groups, and regular communication to ensure they are actively involved in their child’s education.
Future Plans
Developing programs that engage the local community to raise awareness about disabilities and fostering a more supportive environment for children with special needs.
Partnering with various universities and research institutions to study effective practices in special education and implement evidence-based strategies.
Vision for the Next 25 Years
In the next quarter-century, Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan envisions becoming a leading institute for special education in India. This vision includes: playing an active role in advocating for policies that support special education at local, national, and global levels. Equipping students with the skills, confidence, and independence to lead fulfilling lives, pursue their passions, and contribute to society. Establishing partnerships with international organizations to exchange knowledge and practices that further enhance the quality of education for children with special needs. With our 25 year of experience of working with children with special needs with different disabilities we are willing to share our knowledge with like minded people and organizations who can start similar facility to empower children and people with disabilities.
Through these efforts, the school aims to empower its students, transform societal perceptions of disabilities, and create a more inclusive world for future generations.
