How Sankalp is Changing the Future of Special Needs Education in Vadodara

Sankalp, a Vadodara-based initiative, is making a big difference in the lives of children with special needs by offering inclusive education, therapy, and life skills training. The organisation focuses on children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities, ensuring they receive individual attention, specialised teaching, and a supportive environment to grow. I’m

I’m writing about Sankalp because special needs education is often overlooked in India, despite the increasing number of children requiring it. In many places, parents struggle to find schools that understand their child’s learning challenges, and even when they do, the facilities may not be adequate. Sankalp’s model shows how patience, professional guidance, and community involvement can change the game. It’s not just about helping children learn—it’s about giving them the confidence and independence to live meaningful lives. By highlighting their work, I hope more people become aware of the importance of inclusive education and the need to support such initiatives so that no child is left behind simply because the system wasn’t ready for them.

About Sankalp and Its Mission

Sankalp was started with a simple goal: to bridge the gap in quality education for children with special needs in Vadodara. Over the years, it has grown into a full-fledged institution that offers academic support, therapy services, vocational training, and counselling for families. The team includes special educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists who work together to create customised learning plans.

How Sankalp Supports Children

Sankalp’s approach goes beyond classroom learning. Some of their key services include:

Individual Education Plans (IEPs): Tailored teaching strategies based on each child’s strengths and challenges
Therapy Services: Speech, occupational, and physiotherapy under one roof
Life Skills Training: Practical lessons in cooking, money management, and social interaction
Parental Counselling: Guiding families to understand and support their children better
Inclusive Activities: Sports, art, and cultural programmes to encourage participation and confidence

Success Stories from the Centre

One of Sankalp’s remarkable stories is that of a young boy diagnosed with autism who struggled with communication and basic self-care. After two years at Sankalp, he not only learned to express himself through speech but also developed the confidence to perform in a school play. Similar success stories are common here, showing that with the right support, children can break barriers once thought impossible.

Challenges in Special Needs Education

Even with organisations like Sankalp, there are still big challenges:

Lack of trained special educators in many parts of India
Limited awareness among the general public about special needs
Financial strain on families for long-term care and therapy
Social stigma that can isolate children and parents

Sankalp addresses some of these issues by running awareness drives in schools, collaborating with local organisations, and keeping fees affordable or offering financial aid where possible.

The Bigger Picture

The work done by Sankalp is not just about helping individual children—it’s about changing mindsets. By proving that children with special needs can learn, work, and contribute meaningfully to society, they challenge the stereotypes that still exist. Their model can inspire similar efforts across India, especially in smaller cities where options for special education are very limited.

Why Delhi’s New School Fee Bill Puts Education Before Profit

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has unveiled the ‘Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025’, making it clear that education is not meant to be a commercial venture. I’m writing about this because education affects every family in Delhi—and when school fees rise without checks, it becomes a burden that

I’m writing about this because education affects every family in Delhi—and when school fees rise without checks, it becomes a burden that many parents struggle to bear. This new legislation stands out as a public stand with parents, not institutions. It brings much-needed transparency and oversight to private school fee hikes, a topic that’s been fraught with unregulated increases for years. For families, educators, and policymakers, this signals a shift toward fairness and accountability in education. Highlighting the key features of the bill and its impact helps all of us understand how schools should truly serve students, not profits.

What the Bill Brings to the Table

Transparent Fee Approvals: Now, all unaided private schools—wherever they are located—must get government approval before raising fees. Previously, only those on government-allocated land were covered.
Regulatory Mechanism: A three-tier system of committees will assess and approve fee hikes, ensuring they’re justified, fair, and transparent.
Penalties for Violations: Schools that bypass the process or charge arbitrary hikes will face strict penalties, reinforcing accountability.

A Departure from Past Practices

Delhi’s AAP government had little success with enforcing fee regulation despite court rulings. Now, the BJP administration has chosen to back parents directly. CM Gupta noted that this is the first time a state government has formally stood alongside parents in this fight.

What It Means for Parents and Schools

Stakeholder	What Changes
Parents	Greater predictability and fairness in school fees
Schools	Mandated justification for fee increases
Students	Better access to education without financial strain

Schools will now need to justify every fee increment clearly and in writing. Parents must be informed well in advance, avoiding sudden financial surprises.