Embracing Diversity

Diversity is the essence of life. Life would be so dull and boring if all of us did the same thing, looked similar, behaved in the same way, spoke the same language, wore the same kind of clothes. It’s the differences among us that brings colour to our life. It is this difference or diversity that we need to nurture. There is so much to learn from each other and grow as a person. The more diversity we experience the more mature and evolved we become as a person. Our education also contributes a lot to our thinking, learning and values. We spend our first few very important years in school. Our early experiences contribute to our values, beliefs and conduct.

At SBS we are blessed to have an Inclusive set up where we celebrate and embrace diversity. The children learn and grow together. They are taught to appreciate each other’s strengths and support each other to achieve their goals. Each child is important, and each child is encouraged to contribute in whichever way. The environment at SBS is conducive to all diverse learners. Each member associated with SBS is expected to respect diversity.

Inclusion is the Culture of SBS and that adds beauty to the school. We have different programs to nurture diversity and facilitate inclusion. All children from all programs are engaged with each other at different times at their own pace. They all coexist together with a spirit of togetherness. Learning is joyful and holistic for all learners. Diversity brings many more opportunities and avenues to learn. They are experiencing different ways to do the same task which helps children to develop great life skills.

There was research done by Frontier Psychology on ‘ How inclusive Interactive learning environment benefit students without Disability’. It’s research findings give evidence on how inclusion helps children. Data was collected from three inclusive schools using a qualitative approach with a communicative orientation. The results show that students without SEN benefit from participating in interactive learning activities with peers with SEN in different ways:
(1) they learn to respect others, accept differences, and acknowledge different abilities, thereby creating opportunities for new friendships to develop;(2) they learn about abilities related to helping others participate and learn, to be patient and to gain the satisfaction in helping others learn and behave better; and(3) they benefit from the cognitive effort required to explain themselves and from the contributions of peers with SEN from which they can learn. Children educated in inclusive programs with children with SEN have increased respect, awareness, and acceptance of their peers’ needs, they develop less prejudices, and learn to be more helpful and supportive toward people with disability.

This is evident at SBS also our children benefit in many ways from their interaction and learning with SEN children. Our diverse learners also benefit  from the inclusive set up. They develop holistically in all areas be it physical, social, emotional in an inclusive environment. There are many opportunities for them to participate in many activities such as art, drama, pottery, music, dance to develop skills in their interest area. The space also provides them avenues to interact with many children, teachers and other staff members to develop life skills. They learn a lot from observing their peers and are motivated to do many tasks like them. The school environment prepares them for life like their peers.

The Inclusive culture of SBS has really helped all our students. It has been seen that students who pass out from SBS are far more inclusive in their approach to diversity. They have a better understanding of people and are good communicators. Each student of SBS is the torch bearer of Inclusion. We are proud of preparing  generations that will be empathetic and compassionate to make this World a better place.