[caption id="attachment_76902" align="alignnone" width="501"]
School children of Jo Foundation sing during their parents’ day celebrations on Tuesday.[/caption]
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 4 : Education is a powerful tool that can be used to empower special children –the ‘differently-able’–to live life. Education can equip and train them with the right values and correct approach, said Minister for School Education & SCERT, Yitachu.
Attending Jo Foundation Inclusive School’s parents’ day celebrations in the school’s premises in Kohima town, the politician said special children need to be ‘given love and taken care of.’ The event was conducted with the theme ‘wisdom from Jesus Christ the healer’.
Though there are countless government schools spread across the state, Yitachu said ‘special needs children are often left neglected’. However, he is appreciative of the private institutions and individuals who have taken up the steps to show the way, which otherwise is the responsibility and duty of the government. He disclosed that the centrally sponsored scheme of Integrated Education for the Disabled Children (IEDC) was ‘defunct in the state for three years with the diversion of interest to other interest.’
The minister maintained that ‘a society can only grow when we all can reach to such a level that we can take care of our special children and also each and every member of the society with respect and dignity.’
Also, the politician encouraged the parents. Yitachu asked them not to be discouraged but to have courage. Stating that life cannot be a defeat but a struggle to win, the minister urged the parents to teach their children at every step of their lives. This will make a lot of difference as they grow up, he said.
Appreciating the school for including special children to encourage and propagate development based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, Yitachu assured ‘infrastructural support’ and help if the school would acquire land for more space ‘so that more children can be accommodated.’
The minister also launched the school’s website (www.jofoundation.com), designed by Ramietech Solution.
Giving a brief account of the school, the chairman of Jo Foundation School, Daniel Thong Seb, said that the school was established in 2009. There are 110 students with 15 different-able students currently; a physiotherapist, a speech therapist and an audiologist.
Referring to the psychological implications of being in an inclusive school, Thong said normal children develop empathy for their special peers, while the latter develop the feeling of not being any different from the ‘normal children.’
Being a parent to a special child himself, Thong said early intervention was most important for any parents. He has encouraged them ‘not to lose sight but be thankful for the blessings of having been given something different and unique.’
Students and the teachers entertained the gathering with a musical item ‘The sound of music.’
