New Delhi: Every child has the right to fully participate, contribute and strive towards a creative, humane, innovative and joyful world. In a decisive step towards realizing this vision of an inclusive education environment in India, Svayam Foundation and National Bal Bhavan joined hands to launch India’s first Training Certificate Programme for teachers dealing with children with special needs. Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder and Chairperson, Svayam Foundation and Dr Indumathi Rao, Vice Chairperson, National Bal Bhavan graced the launch with their presence.

The objective of the programme is to understand the diverse needs of children with a specific reference for effective inclusion of children with special needs in the in visual arts, scientific activities and physical activitiesof Bal Bhavan. The programme will also help understand basic principles of developing barrier free &accessible built environments and to recognize the knowledge and skills necessary to include children with special needs in various creative activities. The minimum criteria to be met by teachers to participate in this six-month training programme include 18 years of age at the time of application, working knowledge of computers is desirable and at least 10+2 qualification.

Speaking at the event on the importance of inclusive education, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder and Chairperson, Svayam Foundation & Managing Director JindalSaw Ltd. said, “At a time when the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is talking about accessibility, it is essential that we play our part in ensuring an inclusive and accessible education. Svayam Foundation is extremely proud to contribute in its own way be helping NBB hold this workshop to train its faculty. We strongly believe that teachers help shape the future of this country by not just imparting education, but also by inculcating values and making the future citizens of the country more sensitive towards people with special needs.”

Svayam Foundation is one of India’s first and amongst the most vocal Accessibility Rights organisation. Founded in 2000 by leading industrialist and universal accessibility rights believer Ms Sminu Jindal, Svayam is today widely recognized as a leader, catalyst and credible support structure in the field of accessibility. The Foundation has been working in various spheres of society to ensure dignity for people with restricted mobility through sensitization, advocacy, training, conducting access audits and suggesting solutions to make a place or service barrier free

Adding to the point of inclusive education, Dr Indumathi Rao, Vice Chairperson, National Bal Bhavansaid, “The curriculum is a great opportunity for both the teachers to understand the true potential of their students. This training programme will help understand the knowledge and skills necessary to include children with special needs in arts, music, sports and other creative activities of Bal Bhavan. We feel this programme is a stepping stone to a better and an equal world. NBB is proud to partner with Svayam Foundation to launch this curriculum as it provides a common platform to interact, experiment, create and perform.”

National Bal Bhavan is an autonomous body fully funded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, which was established in 1956 to provide opportunities of creative pursuits to children in the age group of 5-16 years. Objectives of the National Bal Bhavan are to enhance the creative potential of children and to inculcate in them scientific temper and a spirit to challenge, experiment, innovate and create. NBB has grown substantially and the Bal Bhavan movement has gained momentum over the years. At present there are 73 BalBhavans across the country which are affiliated to the NBB, as also 7 affiliated BBK’s (Bal Bhavan Kendras) in U.P. and West Bengal across 104 districts.