Special education needs programme for students with disabilities in Autsho Central School from next year

From the next academic session, Lhuentse Dzongkhag will have a school with special education needs programme for students with disabilities. The Education Secretary Karma Yeshey inaugurated Autsho Central School as a school for the inclusive and special education programme, yesterday.

The inauguration of the special education needs unit in Autsho Central School means a lot to students with disabilities. There are ten students with disabilities in the central school. And from next year, the students will have their own separate classroom, resources and teachers trained on the inclusive and special education programme.

Until today, due to lack of such a programme in the school, those ten children were attending classes with other students but under extra guidance and support.

“In August this year, the Education Ministry conducted a meeting with Lhuentse Dzongkhag administration, local government and parents to identify a general school which is feasible for special education needs programme in Lhuentse. During the meeting, stakeholders found Autsho central school, relevant, to introduce special education needs programme,” said Karma Yeshey, the Education Secretary.

The education secretary also said that for inclusive education, the ministry will have twenty-eight schools with special education programme during the 12^th five year plan.

“Though there are only ten children in our school who needs special education support, however, it is going to benefit people from eight gewogs in Lhuentse and nearby villages of Monggar,” said Chador Tenzin, the Principal of Autsho Central School in Lhuentse.

The principal also said that the school has already identified six teachers who volunteered for the programme. And they will undergo basic training for special education needs programme.

According to records maintained with the Education Ministry, currently there are 18 schools for inclusive and special education programme with more than 600 students. UNICEF supports the government to initiate such education programmes.

Sonam Tshering