BARRACKPORE figures very prominently in the history of freedom movement of India where Mangal Pandey thundered against the tyranny of British rulers in 1857 which finds place in Indian history as Sepoy Mutiny. The oldest Army Cantonment , Barrackpore is also established here in the northern fringe of Kolkata on the Eastern bank of the river Hoogly and APS Barrackpore is situated inside the Barrackpore Military Station.
Army Public School Barrackpore upholds inclusivity as the linchpin of its ethos. In a concerted effort to fortify this perspective, the school recently observed World Autism Awareness Day, aiming to foster informed awareness and ardently advocate the acceptance and inclusion of children with autism.
The school’s commitment to inclusivity is deeply rooted in the visionary leadership of Ms. Moitreyee Mukherjee, Principal, APS Barrackpore whose unremitting dedication has been both the intellectual impetus and the driving force behind such endeavours. Her foresight has consistently fostered a milieu where diversity is not merely acknowledged but genuinely embraced. Her inspiring leadership continues to galvanize the school community towards nurturing empathy, equity, and holistic development.
She has contributed significantly as Principal of APS Barrackpore through her strong leadership, academic vision, and focus on holistic student development. She has fostered discipline, encouraged co-curricular excellence, supported teacher growth, and promoted a positive learning environment, helping the institution maintain high educational standards and nurture responsible, confident, and well-rounded students.
Since 2019, the school has actively adopted inclusive practices, further strengthened by the establishment of the Special Education Resource Room in 2020.The dedicated efforts of the School Counsellor and Special Educators have reinforced this inclusive framework. Under the Principal’s leadership, sustained initiatives have been undertaken to dismantle attitudinal barriers and implement necessary infrastructural modifications in the domain of Special Education.Her proactive approach has also ensured need-based accommodations, enabling every child to thrive.
On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, this year an insightful panel discussion was held at School premises. The didactic engagement witnessed enthusiastic and meaningful participation from inquisitive students, esteemed educators, and conscientious members of the community, thereby reinforcing the collective commitment to inclusivity.
The panel was an erudite confluence of distinguished individuals drawn from diverse professional and social spheres.
The programme commenced with a gracious welcome address by Special Educators of Army Public School Barrackpore, who eloquently introduced the thematic focus of the session and established a reflective and purposeful tone. They underscored the imperative of fostering sensitivity, awareness, and sustained support for individuals with autism within everyday societal interactions.
The panel discussion was adeptly moderated by School Counsellor, APS Barrackpore, whose poised facilitation ensured a dynamic yet thoughtful exchange of ideas among the panellists and the audience.
Each panellist contributed profound insights shaped by their professional expertise and lived experiences. Dr. Sucharita Dutt accentuated the critical significance of early diagnosis, timely intervention, and structured rehabilitation in enabling children with autism to realise their full potential.Vice Principal of APS Barrackpore highlighted the pivotal role educational institutions play in nurturing inclusive pedagogical practices and cultivating supportive learning environments.
School Counsellor expounded upon the indispensable role of mental health support and counselling services in addressing the unique needs of students with special needs.
Parent of an autistic kid shared her journey ,illuminating both the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with autism.
A touching moment of the session was marked by her heartfelt expression of gratitude towards the school through a self-composed poem.
She articulated the vital importance of peer understanding, kindness, and acceptance, while also emphasized the necessity of early identification and intervention at a young age.
The school remains firm in ensuring that the Mental Health well-being of students, parents and staff receives due consideration.Through a supportive and empathetic ambience, it strives to nurture emotional health alongside academic growth, thereby fostering a poised and inclusive school community.
(Ms. Pratyusha Mukherjee, an Independent Sr. Broadcast Journalist working for British media with 25 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence and Sports. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and Indian media awards for Journalism).
