JAMMU, OCTOBER 22: Central Board of Secondary Education organized a 2-day National Conference on Inclusive Education. The conference was hosted by CoE Chandigarh and Jammu Schools on 21t and 22nd Oct 2022 at Teachers’ Bhawan, Gandhinagar.The two day Conference aimed at Inclusive Education, focusing that all students, irrespective of any difference they may have, are placed in age – appropriate general education classes to receive high quality instruction, interventions and support that enable them to meet success in the core curriculum.The inaugural session on day one commenced with the welcome address by Dr Ramshankar, Director Training. In his address, he welcomed the Chief Guest, the chairperson CBSE, Nidhi Chibber, Vice Chancellor SMVDU Katra, Ravindra Kumar Sinha- the guest of Honour, besides Dr Ravi Shankar Director School Education; Renu Gupta, Director MIER Group of education; all the teachers and heads of different schools from across the country briefly introducing the elaborative audience about the two day long programme.The programme began with the kindling of the auspicious lamp of knowledge and wisdom, the students of Jammu Sanskriti School presented the Saraswati Vandana followed by a welcome song by the students of Model Academy.Opening remarks were delivered by Chairperson CBSE Nidhi Chibber. Who, in her address talked about the importance of Inclusive Education (IE) – a new approach towards educating children with disability and learning difficulties with the normal ones and under one-roof. She stressed upon bringing all students together in one classroom and community regardless of their strengths or weaknesses in any area, and sought to maximize the potential of all students.The guest of honor, Vice Chancellor Ravinder Kumar Sinha SMVDU University, in his keynote address enlightened everyone on successful inclusive education that happens primarily through accepting, understanding, and attending to student differences and diversity, which can include physical, cognitive, academic, social and emotional.Dr. Ravishanker Sharma, Director School Education, appreciated the thought of CoE Chandigarh and Jammu Schools in collaboration with CBSE on inclusive education which is the need of the present society.Renu Gupta (Guest of Honour), in her address, talked about the movement related to legislation that students receive their education in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This means they are with their peers without disabilities to the maximum degree possible, with general education the placement of first choice for all students.Among others present on the occasion were Anjali Sharma, CoE Chandigarh; Dr Sandeep Jain, Jt. Sec Training; members of the core Committee Jammu Schools viz Dr Pramod Kumar Shrivastava, principal Model Academy, Dr Kunal Anand, principal DPS Udhampur, Rohini Aaima, principal Jammu Sanskriti, Mrs Ranju Malhotra, principal DBN Amarvilla, Mrs Puneet Kaur, principal APS Jammu Cantt.The vote of thanks was delivered by the District Training Coordinator, Pramod Kumar Shrivastav (Principal Model Academy Jammu) who thanked the chairperson CBSE Nidhi Chibber , Ravinder Kumar Sinha , Vice Chancellor SMVDU , Dr. Ravishanker Sharma , Director School education Jammu (Guest of Honor) , Dr. RamShanker, Director training CBSE , Dr. Sandeep Kumar Jain, Joint Secretary CBSE, Anjali Chabra, Deputy Secretary CoE Chandigarh, Dr. Renu Gupta , Chairperson MIER Group, the organizing committee Jammu schools and each and every member involved in organizing the CBSE National Conference.The Programme commenced with a video presentation by Dr. Kunal Anand Principal DPS Udhampur on best practices in Inclusive education Jammu, School Achievements showcasing HUB activities besides activities of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav which included various cultural and digital activities.Various schools across the country presented the papers on Inclusive education , removing Physical and Attitudinal barriers , Parental involvement in Inclusive education, differentiated instructions, universal design for learning, Psychological assessment in classrooms, Response to intervention and Capacity building of teachers for inclusion. It focused on the school and classroom operate on the premise that students with disabilities are as fundamentally competent as students without disabilities. Therefore, all students can be full participants in their classrooms and in the local school community.A Panel of Experts composed of a Councellor, a CBSE official , a Principal from the organizing committee gave their scientific reviews and an expert comment on all the papers that were presented .The second day commenced with cultural events of the region to make all the delegates know about the cultural aspect of the Jammu region. DBN Amarvilla presented a Dogri Folk Song that mesmerised each one present there. It was followed up by a folk song of Jammu presented by the students of APS Jammu Cantt.A video presentation on Best Practices in Inclusive Education showcasing the Jammu region was the next item.To throw more light on the same, various eminent personalities like Dr Rohnika Sharma, Dr Bharti Tandon, Ms Manpreet Kour Sodhi, Bhanvi Sharma, Ashish Anand and Shreya Abrol were in the panel discussion moderated by Dr Chand Trehan. This panel highlighted the use of assisted technology for Inclusive Education.An array of eminent speakers from different professions having rich experience and achievements shared their expertise with the participants. Over 350 trs and heads joined from across various states to witness the programme on the second day too.The chief guest for the second day, 22nd Oct was Dr Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu. The special guests, Rajesh Rathore, principal JK Public School, Jammu and Vijay Puri, Director Shemford Futuristic School.The chief guest, in his speech, asserted the supreme power of knowledge, unity, collective thinking and cultural sharing.All the paper presenters besides the Best paper were felicitated in the valedictory session. Anjali Chhabra, CoE Chandigarh, in her vote of thanks, thanked all the heads of the institutions, paper presenters, experts, counsellors, panelists and the teachers who travelled from across various parts of the country to make this conference a great learning platform where all the participants learnt from each other and shared their best practices in Inclusive Education from various institutions. She specially mentioned the effort of the Organising committee for taking up the initiative of organizing CBSE National Conference in its vicinity.
