The annual Walk4Dyslexia was held on 19th October 2024 at Kohima as part of the Dyslexia Awareness Month, an annual effort to change perceptions around learning disabilities like dyslexia and highlight the strengths of dyslexic thinking. The event at The Heritage was graced by Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, MLA & Advisor for School Education & SCERT, Government of Nagaland, who served as the Guest of Honour, a press release informed.
The Kohima walk was organised by the Department of School Education, Nagaland Board of School Education, Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, SCERT, Samagra Shiksha, and the Office of the State Disability Commissioner. In collaboration with ChangeInkk Foundation, UNESCO MGEIP, and other national and local partners, the event saw strong participation from organizations including Elder Line Kohima, National Helpline, Beautiful Minds Center, and several prominent schools and institutions in the city.
The event concluded with remarks by Thavaseelan K, IAS, Principal Director of the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland. Over 300 participants gathered to raise awareness, advocate for individuals with dyslexia, and pledge to build opportunities for every child to thrive.
The press release also informed that as part of the Dyslexia Awareness Month, impactful events and advocacy campaigns are held worldwide to support individuals with dyslexia and create pathways to success under the theme “Go Red”. This year over 1100 walks are being conducted across India, including in most major cities including Kolkatta, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi, as well as in the districts and blocks of Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Nagaland actively joined this national movement with walks taking place in every district, including Dimapur, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Wokha, Tuensang, and Kohima. Led by students, teachers, special educators, school leaders, parents and policy makers, these walks saw thousands of participants united in their support for the learning disabilities community.
Today, we came together in solidarity for the Walk for Dyslexia, raising awareness and advocating for a more inclusive future for individuals with dyslexia. The walk was flagged by Hon’ble Adviser SE & SCERT Dr Kekhrie Yhome. @barabasti @ChangeInkk @indranibhaduri @NagalandSchool pic.twitter.com/NDpa1OhDBK
— Nagaland Board of School Education, NBSE (@nbsenagaland) October 19, 2024
A press release also affirmed that the Department of School Education in Nagaland, in collaboration with the Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the Nagaland Board of School Education, SCERT, and Samagra Shiksha, has ensured the importance of ensuring that no child with a potential learning disability is overlooked. This disability was formally recognized as one of the 21 disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016; however, significant efforts are still needed to ensure these students are integrated into mainstream schools and not left behind.
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia, affect individuals with average or above-average IQs but hinder their ability to process language, both spoken and written. These challenges often manifest as difficulties in reading, writing, spelling, or math, and many individuals with SLDs suffer silently, misjudged as lazy or incompetent. However, those with SLDs often possess extraordinary strengths, such as creative and lateral thinking, which enable them to approach problems with out-of-the-box solutions. From Albert Einstein to Steve Jobs, dyslexic minds have left an indelible mark on the world, with an estimated 40% of self-made millionaires having dyslexia.
Under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Nagaland’s Department of Education has partnered with ChangeInkk Foundation to mainstream the inclusion of students with SLDs in the state’s education system. This partnership, initiated in 2022, focuses on a comprehensive systems transformation, ensuring inclusive classroom practices, training teachers, and developing inclusive curricula and teaching-learning materials (TLMs). The goal is to create an educational environment where every child, regardless of learning disability, can excel. This initiative aims to create inclusive school environments where students are identified, screened, and supported, unlocking their untapped potential, thereby reducing dropout rates and enhancing learning outcomes.
The commitment to inclusion grows stronger with each step, and Nagaland is proudly joining hands with ChangeInkk Foundation to ensure that students with learning disabilities receive the support they deserve, from identification and intervention to lifelong success.
Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Hon’ble Advisor for SE and SCERT flagged off “Walk for Dyslexia” an initiative on raising awareness on SLDs and IDs on 19th Oct 2024, an initiative by ChangeInkk Foundation in collaboration with Department of School Education and Samagra Shiksha. pic.twitter.com/pMUUdqlTD9
— Samagra Shiksha Nagaland (@SamagraNagaland) October 19, 2024
