PARENTS and guests at a concert organised recently by a school for children with special learning needs were deeply moved by the gutsy performances they witnessed. For most of the performers, it was the first time they had the courage, confidence and capability to take to the stage and showcase their singing, dancing and acting skills.
The children, ranging from six to twelve, wowed the audience with a total of eleven performances that included a fashion show, several dance numbers and a taekwondo performance.
The star of the show was six-year old Putri Seri Dahlia Abdullah, whose poise and stage presence touched the hearts of those present.
The children’s ability to present a concert within just six months of special education was due largely to the efforts of the teachers at Taarana, a dedicated school set up by the Vijayaratnam Foundation to cater for those unable to handle the challenges of the regular school system.Located in a renovated bungalow in Kuala Lumpur, the school opened its doors in March this year with educational programmes tailored to cater to children with conditions that include attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, sensory integration disorder, speech impairment, global development disorder, impulsive behaviour and others.
Children seeking admission to the school are assessed by an occupational therapist and a qualified special education teacher to identify their particular needs and a tailor-made curriculum is designed to ensure development of their academic, social and independent living skills.
After just six months of following the school’s special curriculum, the children of Taarana impressed their parents and other members of the audience at the concert with their rapid development.
“I am amazed by the progress made by these children within such a short time. Some of them have leapt light years forward and it shows that we are doing something right,” said Vijayaratnam Foundation founder Datuk Vijay Eswaran.
Vijayaratnam Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the QI Group, of which Vijay is executive chairman.
Vijay paid tribute to the patience and dedication of all those who had supported Taarana’s endeavours, including the teachers, parents and board members.
“When we started this school, we thought we were doing something good for the children. Now we realise that we are the ones who are the richer for it, because these children have given us the gift of being able to care,” he told the audience.
He said it was the aspiration of the QI Group to set up schools similar to Taarana in every place where the company has a footprint to equip special children with skills that would allow them to assimilate into the communities they live in.
News Source : The Star Metro
