“It’s great that the hard work invested by our staff who are the backbone of this institution is recognised. The faculty works closely with families to ensure all-round well-being of our special needs children. Faculty competence is the outcome of ongoing professional development programmes, participation in seminars and rehabilitation training programmes. Recently, some of our teachers attended a week-long training in Instrumental Enrichment developed by Prof. Reuven Feurstein, a world-renowned Israeli psychologist,” says Dr. Sulata Ajit (centre right), co-founder and director of Sankalp.

Adds Lakshmi Ktishnakumar, founder-director of the affiliated Sankalp — The Open School for Children with Learning Disabilities, Chennai: “Our co-curricular education menu includes pottery, cooking, functional math, art, collage design, theatre, drums, folk dance, Silambam — a martial art — helps us develop students’ multiple intelligences. Basic stitching, vegetable prepping, Kolam drawing and tailoring skills are also taught to our students under a specially designed pre-vocational programme.”

“Although we are happy to be ranked among the Top 5 nationally, we wonder how we slipped from #2 last year to #4 this year. Especially, since we have had a great year in terms of our children’s holistic development and increased neurodiversity in the centre. Our teachers are highly motivated and we have upgraded infrastructure and facilities. While our model is focused on teaching in small groups, our teachers have the training, sensitivity and social-emotional skills to address the specific needs of every child. Over the past year, we have taken on additional projects for first generation-learners, placed our students in corporates and provided internships. Last year’s student graduates have successfully been admitted into Azim Premji University, PES University among other reputed colleges in Bengaluru” — Dr. Gayathri Krishna, founder-trustee, Brindavan Education Centre (135 students and 55 teachers).

Also read: India’s most respected special needs schools 2022-2023