Students with special needs donated clothes, stationery and toys that will be distributed to underprivileged children before the Puja.
Their school, Star Mission Academy, initiated the drive to make them understand that they need to share and send out a message that they, too, can contribute.
School officials said the initiative was also aimed at mainstreaming the students, many of whom have been forced to drop out of mainstream schools because of “learning disabilities”.
“There are parents who tell us that their children do not want to share. We as a school want to teach them that and let them experience the joy of giving. This is also a way to mainstream them and create more acceptance for them by telling others that they, too, can do their bit,” said Anindita Chatterjee, a psychologist and director, Star Mission Academy.
“The taboo that is associated with special needs has to go.”
Students of all classes contributed something.
“We had told them to give things or books that are in good condition and they did that. Some of them even gave new items. Such initiatves help create a connection between individuals with and without disabilities,” said a teacher.
The collection continued for a week, after which items packed in cartoons were handed over to an organisation.
The school got the award for “A school that cares,” at The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence this year.
The school currently has a 100-odd students on its rolls with varying special needs like autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and other learning disabilities.
The school has also sent out students in Classes X and XII through the National Institute of Open Schooling. Some of them are now in college.
“Many of these children were forced to drop out of mainstream schools because they could not cope with the syllabus or the rigour. But they are not fit for exclusive special schools, too, because many of them have mild special needs. We help them study at their pace with the same syllabus that is followed in mainstream schools. We want them to complete their studies and not drop out,” said Chatterjee.
