Initiative to identify learning disabilities of students

Sumedha Sharma

A unique initiative has been launched in Gurugram for the early identification of learning disabilities among students and creating a “stress-free environment” for them. ‘Project Zindagi’ launched by Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh is a district-level initiative that seeks to ensure “mental well-being of students of government schools”. Government teachers will be trained in psychological analysis and resolution under it.

The project has been undertaken on a pilot basis, and will cover 15 schools in the district. Three or four teachers will undergo training in these schools. And a total of 45 teachers will be trained in this manner during sessions of 48 hours each.

“Early detection of learning disabilities or mental issues such as depression, under confidence, insecurity, phobias or trauma, peer rivalry if detected at right time can be easily resolved, aiding not just in better development of a student but also curtailing juvenile crimes. A child spends his maximum waking hours in school and that's the best place to tap them. During these sessions, teachers will be handed checklists using which they will identify students with learning disabilities and other issues. Students will also be made to participate in yoga sessions, mental healthcare activities and anger management classes on the basis of this analysis,” says Gunjan Gahlot, Chief Minister's Good Governance Associate (CMGGA) for Gurugram.

The schools to be covered under the project are five in Gurugram, three each in Sohna and Farrukhnagar, and four in Pataudi. “Students will be counselled and attempts will be made to reduce their stress. Besides, if there are any physical or mental obstructions or deficiencies in their learning environment, this project will attempt to identify and tackle those accordingly. As of now, this is a district-level initiative. Its experiences will be compiled and shared with the state government as a policy feedback. Also, as of now, the project is only being implemented in government schools. But in the next phase, we hope to extend it to private institutions as well,” says the Deputy Commissioner.

"Students will be counselled and attempts will be made to reduce their stress. Besides, if there are any physical or mental obstructions or deficiencies in their learning environment, this project will attempt to identify and tackle those accordingly. As of now, this is a district-level initiative. Also, as of now, the project is only being implemented in government schools. But in the next phase, we hope to extend it to private institutions as well" — Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Gurugram