This school teaches disabled children to lead dignified lives

PATNA: At a time when disabled people still face discrimination, Asha School in Danapur is working tirelessly to make the world a better place for them. Established under the aegis of the Army Wives Welfare Association, the school has been providing quality education, therapy, counselling and rehabilitation to children with disabilities since 1994.
“We have special teachers, sportspersons, musicians, speech therapists, vocational trainers, and physiotherapists for helping 50 students with disabilities.We not only enrol the children of Army officers, but those of common people as well,” the principal of Asha School, Kalpana Jha, who has been associated with the institute for 13 years, told this newspaper. She added, “Students in the age group of 5 to 18 years are part of this school that follows the curricula of the Bihar School Examination Board.”
The principal, however, pointed out that conducting online classes amid the Covid-19 pandemic was a little difficult because “a few students do not have access to the internet, cellphones or laptops”.
The Danapur-based school was registered with the state education department as Asha Society for Handicapped Children on November 14, 1998. Its aim is to empower kids with disabilities so that they can lead their lives with dignity.
Lt Col Alok Thakur, whose son Amogh Thakur is a student at Asha School, said, “The institute focuses on the all-round development of kids and tries its best to provide a comfortable environment to them. Various sports camps are also organized here from time to time.”
At present, there are 37 Asha Schools across the country. These are funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.