After their class X and XII exams, students of Sri Sakthi Academy, a school for special children, were clueless about what to do next.
Shiyamala Mohan, director of the Academy, used this difficult situation to reach the next rung of the academic ladder.
“That’s how the idea of a community college was born,” she says.
Since June 2017, Sri Sakthi Community College has been offering diploma courses in computer application, data entry, tailoring, catering and animation to students with special needs.
Sri Sakthi Community College, Saidapet, is the first community college started exclusively for special children and functions under the Tamilnadu Open University for Community College.
“After high school, special children do not have a space to learn or work happily in this fast-moving world. As a result, many lose their sense of direction.
“We have faced a lot of difficulties while teaching as their concentration span is low; also, due to their emotional imbalance, many fail to recognise their talents. I stared this community college for special children to develop their talents and integrate them in society by providing them with quality education along with few therapies that will help them improve their learning abilities,” says Shiyamala.
Interestingly, the Academy has set up a grocery store on the premises, for special children to sell the products they have created.
They have also provided job opportunities for these children by employing a few alumni as assistants to the main staff.
“We admit children with all kinds of disabilities, including those with learning disability, autism, ADHD, ADD, down syndrome with mild and moderate learning abilities,” says Mohan Raj, a trustee of Sri Sakthi Academy.
The Community College also plans to start a learning research centre in the near future and initiate graduation courses and also start an integrated work unit for special children.
For details, contact Sri Sakthi Academy, Srinagar Colony, Saidapet, at 044 22201439, 9444561025; or write to srisakthiacademy@gmail.com.