Shilpa Special School

A special school where 140 children of varying ages and with differing degrees of mental and physical disability, are benefited with the help of 28 dedicated staff. Things that came naturally to normal children but are extremely difficult for these youngsters. Skills such as identifying colors, shapes and sizes, common objects, communication etc. Learning which is paced to their level of ability. Providing free schooling, the center, is one of its kind in Cochin (India), mostly catering to children from poor families in rural areas. Two school vans provide transportation to these children from their homes to the school.
Of the 100 students attending the school, all of them have varying degrees of mental disability including mild, moderate and severe. At least 20% of the students are profoundly handicapped unlike other many such centers who do not admit these children. 30% of students are spastic with MR. At least 60% of our children are suffering from Epilepsy (Fits) There is almost an equal representation of boys and girls and age group varies from few months of age to 35-40 years. Most of the children attending the centre are from very poor families. As the school is situated in the outskirts of Cochin,many of them are from rural areas . There is no other special school in this area.
The school uses Multimedia as a training method. The children are trained to play simple computer games ,watch interactive CDs and nursery rhymes, draw & paint,etc. The initial response has been very good ,as multimedia stimulation is one of the many ways to stimulate the mentally handicapped . The school Annual day is celebrated in a grand manner every year where celebrities are invited to distribute prizes to the students.