Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on July 26 inaugurated the Union Territory's first Special School for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) in Kargil, marking a significant milestone in the Administration's commitment to providing equitable, inclusive and quality education for every child.

The inauguration was attended by Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, and Member of Parliament (Ladakh), Mohmad Haneefa Jan.

Established to meet the educational, developmental and therapeutic needs of children with special needs, the school aims to provide a dedicated learning environment where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and lead a life of dignity and independence.

The school features barrier-free infrastructure, including ramps, accessible classrooms and child-friendly facilities. It is equipped with assistive technologies, dedicated resource rooms, therapy and rehabilitation services, specialised learning aids, and trained special educators and support staff to ensure the holistic development of students.

Addressing the gathering, L-G Saxena described the inauguration as the beginning of a new chapter in Kargil's journey towards inclusive education. He said the institution reflects the Administration's unwavering commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind, regardless of physical, intellectual, sensory or developmental challenges.

Referring to the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Lieutenant Governor said every child deserves equal opportunities to learn and succeed. He noted that the establishment of the Special School is a significant step towards making education more inclusive, accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of every learner. He also reiterated the Administration's commitment to making every government school in Ladakh inclusive so that Children with Special Needs can access quality education closer to their homes.

Emphasising that inclusive education requires collective effort, L-G Saxena called upon parents, local communities, School Management Committees, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and volunteers to work together in creating a compassionate environment where children with special needs are respected, included and empowered to realise their full potential.

The Lieutenant Governor said the Administration is continuously upgrading educational infrastructure in line with CBSE norms and national standards by investing in modern classrooms, science laboratories, ICT facilities, libraries, sports infrastructure and safe learning environments. He added that special emphasis would continue to be placed on strengthening barrier-free infrastructure, assistive technologies, accessible classrooms, therapeutic support, resource rooms and trained special educators to ensure that every learner can participate in education with dignity and confidence.

Expressing confidence that the institution would emerge as a centre of excellence for inclusive education, L-G Saxena said the school would serve as a model for empowering Children with Special Needs in Ladakh. He urged all stakeholders to work together towards building a Ladakh where every child matters, every learner is valued and every dream is given the opportunity to flourish.