Last week, we set out on a journey to Silbheta, a remote village in Golaghat district, at the request of a parent to help raise awareness about children with disabilities in the community. Just 10 km from Golaghat town, the road to Silbheta is kutcha, limiting its access to communication and healthcare facilities. As we bumped along the dusty but otherwise serene rural landscape, we were curious and keen to meet the people and understand their needs.
Nothing prepared us for the very pleasant surprise when we reached *Silbheta Prathamik School*. The Head Teacher, also a parent of a child with a disability, had used her imagination and the community’s help to transform an ordinary village school into a beautiful, cheerful, colorful, child-friendly space, taking the Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) concept to another level altogether and creating an interactive and engaging environment that is bound to make learning more enjoyable and effective for the students and visitors like us too.
What stood out for us was the discipline, the cleanliness, the efficient management, and the unwavering dedication of its staff. We were so impressed by the commitment to working with ‘all’ children including those with disabilities and special needs. Without even being formally trained in inclusive education, they had naturally embraced and supported every child, embodying the true spirit of inclusion The nurturing environment ensured that every child felt valued and supported. Seeing this truly commendable effort and sincere dedication in this small remote village was deeply inspiring, reminding us of the impact we can all make when we work with the same passion and determination.
Motivated by their efforts, we got to work promptly, conducting assessments for 16 (sixteen) children while understanding specific needs, counselling parents with care and empathy, and introducing them to customized home management programs to provide continuous support even beyond the school walls. We also shared information about disability certificates, UDID, and RBSK cards, to help families access the resources they were entitled to.
At the end of the day, this journey to Silbheta was not just about our awareness program or the assessment and interventions, it was about hope, connection, and the power of unwavering dedication that we witnessed there. This journey taught us that Silbheta Prathamik School is a true inspiration for all schools, where the school management’s dedication, discipline, and creativity can make a nurturing environment for every child in the community. We learned that with commitment, we too can undoubtedly transform our society and ensure that no child is left behind and everyone can thrive.