Ten schools across the country are set to become the first Unified Champion Schools. These schools will introduce inclusive sports activities that engage students with intellectual disabilities. Sports Instructors from these schools have undergone training on how to involve the whole school in inclusive practices.
The programme is designed to unite students with and without intellectual disabilities through sports, encouraging them to play, learn, and lead together.
Organisers say the initiative aims to foster a sense of belonging and ensure that every student feels valued within their school community.
The training on theUnified Champion Schools programme was organised by the Special Olympics Asia Pacific in partnership with Special Olympics Bhutan.
Tshering Dema, Partnership Coordinator of Special Olympics Bhutan said “We hope to create more inclusive environment in schools where children with and without intellectual disabilities can play together. We want to see more unified team coming from the schools.”
The instructors learned the strategies to involve students with intellectual disabilities in school sports and how to implement and plan sustainable unified school programmes.
Rinchen Dema, School Sports Instructor of Tendruk Central School in Samtse said “I plan to start by organising small unified sports event and forming a student leadership group to promote inclusion and conduct an awareness campaign through art competition.”
Pam Rolink, Senior Manager Youth Initiatives at Special Olympics Asia Pacific said “They will be able to run the whole school engagement, inclusive youth leadership and unified sports. So there are not much interventions necessary from Special Olympics.”
Parents also welcomed the initiative.
Dechen Pem, a parent said “We thought that children with intellectual disabilities could not perform in sports. But today, I got motivated that our children can at least get a chance to participate in sports.”
According to Special Olympics Bhutan, there are plans to start two new inclusive swimming and dancing sports clubs in some schools, giving students even more opportunities to connect through the power of sports.
Jamyang Loday
Edited by Tshering Zam
