Specialized educational institution 'Prativa'. Photo: BSS

CUMILLA, Oct 23, 2025 (BSS) - Specialized educational institution 'Prativa' is working with the goal of enabling children with special needs to develop their abilities within the mainstream of society.

This is not just an educational institution; this school can change the course of life for children with special needs. This exceptional educational institution has been established at Muradnagar in Cumilla one year back.

In a year of its establishment, the school has now become a safe haven for learning, sports and self-reliance for special children. 

Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Amirul Kaysar is providing overall support to this humanitarian initiative. 

The journey of 'Prativa' began on October 10, 2024, at the initiative of the then Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sifat Uddin. This institution is being run with the financial support of the Upazila Parishad and Upazila Administration with the technical support of the Upazila Social Service Office.

Every Friday and Saturday, specialised teachers, a speech therapist, and a physiotherapist from various places including Dhaka come to provide therapy and training to the children of this school. Classes continue from 9 am to 12noon. In addition to lessons, there are various activities such as singing, drawing, games, and physical development.

The goal of the school is not just to teach, but to create an inclusive learning environment where mental or physical disabilities do not hold children back.

Within a year of its establishment, the school now has more than 50 children with special needs taking regular classes. Some of them suffer from autism, some from Down syndrome and some from intellectual disabilities. The teachers are working on their social and emotional development with love and patience.

Jahangir Alam Imrul, one of guardians, said, "I have never found a suitable environment for my daughter anywhere before. The way the teachers work here patiently is truly inspiring."

 Another guardians, Rubina Akhter, said, "My son didn't talk to anyone, he would get angry whenever I tried to teach him something. Now he wants to go to school himself. 'Prativa' has changed him."

School director Sharmin Fatema said, "We don't just teach how to read, we teach lessons of life. We try to make them understand how to do their own work, how to become confident." 

She said, "Among our students, children like Yasin, Tashfia and Fatema are now showing visible progress. Yasin did not talk to anyone, but now he is interacting normally. Tashfia used to lie down all the time, but now she can crawl. Fatema's condition has also improved a lot." 

Muradnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdur Rahman said, "Prativa' is not just a school, it is a symbol of humanity. These children are part of our society, everyone should come forward together for their development."

Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Amirul Kaisar said children with special needs are not a burden on society, but a symbol of potential. The administration and society must work together to develop their talents, he added.

He said the society's attitude towards special children must change. The administration will provide all-out support to initiatives like 'Prativa', he also said." 

He assured that the district administration would grant allocation for the construction of permanent infrastructure and necessary equipment for the schools.

Md Amirul Kaisar said this one-year journey of 'Prativa' School is not just a school, but a shining example of building an inclusive society where the administration, teachers, guardians and the common people are together building a new shape of humanity.