Inclusive Education represents a progressive approach to educating children across learning spectrums, alongside their typically developing peers within the same educational setting. This philosophy emphasizes that students with special needs should be integrated into regular classrooms, fostering an environment where all students, irrespective of their abilities, come together as a cohesive community. By embracing diversity and recognizing the unique strengths of each individual, inclusive education endeavors to unlock the full potential of every student.
One notable exemplar of this inclusive ethos is the Nitte International School (NIS), recognized for its commitment to inclusive education and its outstanding contribution in this field. Awarded the title of Outstanding School of the Year 2023 for Inclusive Education, Nitte International School stands as a beacon of excellence, demonstrating how an inclusive educational environment can be effectively nurtured and celebrated, setting a commendable standard for educational institutions across the nation.
NIS in a Nutshell
Established in 2007, NIS operates as a co-educational institution under the auspices of the NITTE Educational Trust, Mangalore. The school’s educational approach is comprehensive and emphasizes practical learning. This evolution was spearheaded by the founder Shri Justice KS Hegde, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of India, and former speaker of Lok Sabha- a true visionary and later nurtured by the Chancellor of NITTE University Shri N Vinaya Hegde. Through a dynamic curriculum that is regularly updated and adapted, students are equipped to confront real-world challenges effectively. Nestled within an 11-acre campus in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, NIS fosters an atmosphere characterized by love, trust, and respect, nurturing students to become future innovators and thought leaders.
At NIS, the school curriculum is designed to offer a structured educational journey, fostering a personalized learning environment marked by warmth and care. Students engage in collaborative learning, creative thinking, critical reasoning, and effective communication. The curriculum is primarily aligned with the CBSE curriculum and the National Education Policy (NEP), ensuring relevance and contemporary educational standards.
Outstanding School of the Year 2023 – Inclusive Education
Known for being an inclusive hotspot of education, collaboration is at the heart of NIS’s operating philosophy, providing individualized support and helping students grow holistically. Be it the Play-way method approach for the pre-primary sections, which also includes a theme-based learning environment, connecting academics to hands-on activities.
For the primary students, Life skills and EQUBE (Embedding Evolutionary Excellence) are integrated into the curriculum, empowering them with essential societal understanding and emotional intelligence tools. Additionally, remedial classes and additional support are provided to academically challenged students, ensuring they remain at par with their peers.
Middle school students benefit from skill-based classes, including Financial Literacy and Artificial Intelligence, along with Yoga and Sports, providing diverse learning opportunities beyond traditional academics.
At the secondary level, sensitivity is nurtured through Life Skills sessions and the YLAC (Young leaders for active citizenship Club), instilling a sense of social responsibility among students. While, for higher secondary students, it is made sure that they are encouraged to choose physical education as an elective, promoting overall well-being. Regular communication with parents is facilitated through the official platform called Schoolphins, and students weak in different subjects receive one-on-one classes to enhance their proficiency and ensure parity with their peers.
Building Inclusive Communities
To support inclusion and develop camaraderie among the students, the school has introduced a peer mentorship scheme where students with different abilities are matched together for both academic assistance and social interactions. One outcome of this is to ensure continued engagement between parents and learners by making sure they have their say in designing what will work as well as learning about children’s requirements.
Special assemblies on International Climate Day gave students inputs to face pertinent issues in climate change while on World Rivers Day students were taught how essential it is to conserve water resources because it also forms the basis of life on earth. Beyond this, the myriad clubs and extracurricular activities enhance the creative flair of students. Intra-house competitions like MUN, patriotic songs, etc. added more zest to the academic tapestry. Sustainable Development Goals awareness is encouraged and inter-school competitions are reinforced towards fostering healthy competition while at the same time propelling learners to leapfrog into an arena of possibilities.
Green Guardians Eco Club comprising students from grades 3 to 5 engages and actively contributes towards environmental conservation through various initiatives like campus cleaning as well as tree planting. Social Empowerment Work in Action (SEWA)projects constitute social events that help connect pupils with their physical and social environment thereby promoting an attitude of nationalism among them.
Fostering Academic Success
Through regular Parent-Teacher Meetings, NIS makes sure parents get regular up-to-date information on what is happening with their kids academically, in terms of achievements and glitches. In case the student has academic or behavioral challenges, the special educator and counselor work together with the parent giving guidance and if need be recommending further therapy alternatives.
All in all, the first-generation learners who have made it through are cherished by the school. The alumni association serves as a reflection of past learners’ success stories. Education for all and diverse students is practiced – pan India due to the residential nature of the school. Active feedback from parents is vital in enhancing students’ scholastic performance throughout their schooling years. Academic success is fostered at NIS by creating a compassionate environment, setting clear goals, continuing open communication, providing resources, and encouraging value-based skills.
Team NIS is always in pursuit of spearheading transformation, being a change catalyst and giving back to society – capable individuals of tomorrow.