Changathikkoottam, the friendship groups formed as part of the ‘Koottukoodan Pusthakachangathi’ book donation drive for differently-abled students is all set to be extended across the State. It was conceived by the Kozhikode unit of the Samagra Shiksha, Kerala.
According to A.K. Abdul Hakeem, district programme officer, Samagra Shiksha, Kozhikode, the project was first planned as a continuation of the book donation campaign aimed at setting up home libraries for differently-abled students in the district. At least some of the children were found to be not in a position to read books without help from others.
“Initially, students of the same age group started visiting those children during festival days or holidays. They read out books to them, narrated stories, watched movies together and helped them in their studies. That effort evoked a good response and the idea was given a more formalised structure,” he said.
As many as 360 home libraries were set up in the first phase of ‘Koottukoodan Pusthakachangathi’ drive. Friendship groups with 1,500 members were formed in the district last year to attend to these differently-abled students. Resource teachers from block resource centres and school teachers accompanied members of the friendship groups during each visit.
The help of local elected representatives and parents-teachers associations too were sought.
Mr. Hakeem pointed out that a girl student without limbs, who was confined to her home, was so motivated that she started going to a regular school from last year. There were other bed-ridden students who too started coming out in the open. “This year, it will be extended to another 1,000 houses,” he said.
Training programme
Resource teachers, district programme officers, and student trainers will now be trained to take the programme to other districts.
The three-day training programme will begin in Kozhikode from Monday.
