The Special Olympics office in Bhutan today handed over sports equipment to five inclusive schools in Thimphu. The contribution, valued at over Nu. 430,000, includes futsal and athletics gear such as mini goalposts and balls. This initiative aims to enhance inclusive learning and sporting environments within the schools. The event also marks the formal commitment of these schools to promoting inclusion and empowering all students through sports.
President of Special Olympics office in Bhutan, Dasho Dechen Wangmo handed over the equipment to school principals and representatives.
The beneficiary schools are Changangkha Middle Secondary School, Motithang Higher Secondary School, Dechencholing Higher Secondary School, Loselling Middle Secondary School, and Sherabgatshel Primary School.
These schools are among the 10 schools in Bhutan that have been identified as pilot sites for the Unified Champion Schools initiative of the Special Olympics.
The programme promotes social inclusion through Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities train, compete, and grow as teammates.
Nyendo Tshering, the principal of Changangkha Middle Secondary School said, “This programme actually helps children and especially the children with disabilities to come forward and recognise their talent and also makes sure that these children are also involved and participating in the sports programmes. Children without disabilities would learn from children with disabilities and children with disability would also learn from children without disability.”
Similarly Penjor Gyeltshen, a senior HPE teacher at Mothithang Higher Secondary School also acknowledged the mutual benefits botth children with disabilities and without disabilities will gain from the initiative. “They play together. So, they could help each other. Especially with the mental health of the young people living with disabilities, they feel included. Of course, it helps physical development but it also supports mental health.”
This marks the second major investment by the Special Olympics in Bhutan under the initiative. In April this year, 10 school sports instructors from the pilot schools received training to lead inclusive and unified sports in their respective schools.
The Special Olympics office in Bhutan will also be distributing similar equipment to remaining pilot schools outside the capital to ensure equal readiness.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
