As mainstream schools across Maharashtra and India strive to become more inclusive and cater to neurodiverse students within regular classrooms, the Sri Aurobindo Society has taken a pioneering step by establishing a Centre of Excellence for inclusive education at I.B. Patel Municipal School in Goregaon, Mumbai.
### Project Inclusion: A Comprehensive Model for Inclusive Education
Through its flagship initiative, Project Inclusion, the Society provides a holistic framework that combines early identification, teacher training, and therapeutic interventions for students with learning difficulties. This model is currently being implemented across three schools in Mumbai, with the Centre of Excellence serving not only its host school but also nearby Kendriya Vidyalayas in Colaba. Additionally, the training infrastructure is being extended to other schools within the district.
A multidisciplinary team comprising clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, and special educators has been deployed to address the diverse behavioral, skill-based, and practical challenges involved in creating a truly inclusive environment for neurodiverse students. The team offers a range of services including therapy support, assessment tools and psychometric testing, training for special educators and parents, as well as computerized assessments.
### Impact and Outreach
Since its inception, the Centre of Excellence has conducted multiple sessions on special education, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy tailored for educators, neurodiverse students, and their parents. In collaboration with the BMC, Sri Aurobindo Society Rupantar is actively working alongside Kendriya Vidyalayas to expand the program’s reach.
Notably, 90% of teachers at Kendriya Vidyalaya Colaba No.1 and KV Colaba No.3 in Mumbai have been sensitized to neurodiversity. A total of 408 students from these schools have been screened and enrolled into Project Inclusion. Teachers have received extensive training to identify students with learning difficulties using the Project Inclusion app and Learning Management System.
To date, over 800 domain-specific intervention plans have been developed to guide teachers in providing direct support to students within the classroom setting. This structured approach has led to significant improvements in students’ cognitive, behavioral, and social development.
Parents have reported encouraging progress, noting positive changes in their children’s speech, attention span, and peer interactions. Outreach efforts, including counseling and personalized remedial sessions, have effectively bridged the gap between school and home support systems.
### Looking Ahead
Dr. Simmi Mahajan, Chief Program Officer of Project Inclusion, emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving change:
> “The journey in Mumbai reflects how structured intervention and trust-based collaboration can create real change. Our focus is now on deepening impact and replicating this model across other urban districts. We are grateful for the support received from the KVS, the BMC, and our funding partners to extend Project Inclusion and create a Centre of Excellence in Mumbai. Achieving true inclusion will only be possible with the joint efforts of all stakeholders.”
The Centre of Excellence stands as a beacon for inclusive education, demonstrating that with coordinated efforts and dedicated resources, mainstream schools can successfully nurture and empower neurodiverse learners.
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