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OUR SCHOOL

AHEAD is now BARRIER – FREE for independence, convenience and safety of the children with disabilities.
The school started its endeavor in 1979 with one room and one student. For the initial 25 years, we operated in a rented premises. After purchasing land from Calcutta Improvement Trust, Government of West Bengal, we have constructed our own 4-storied building (7500 sq.ft area in total). This has helped us expand our activities and introduce good infrastructural facilities and good teaching practices. Each of our classrooms has furniture suitable for the type of disability our students belong to. We have appropriate basic infrastructure to provide education, therapy and training to our students. We have built the infrastructure to make buildings and facilities friendly for use by persons with disabilities. AHEAD received the state award in 2012 for creating “Outstanding Barrier Free Environment” in the school premises.
The school building also has fir
e-fighting equipments for the safety of our children.

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Dr. Asesh Kanta Banerjee Choudhury

OUR FOUNDER

Our founder and Hony. President Dr. Asesh Kanta Banerjee Choudhury, born in 1942, being a polio-victim, uses a wheel-chair for movement since childhood. In recognition for his work, he has received many awards particularly Role Model Award both from the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal and the Hon’ble President of India.

 

The hardship he faced in his life to pursue education gave him the boost and it was a dream throughout his life to open a special school where some children with different abilities will come and head towards a changed life.

 

With a vision that ‘No Child is born to blush unseen’ , the school started in a small rented room with one Autistic child and one Special Educator, and a dream. Under Dr Chaudhury’s constant support and guidance in 30 years Ahead stands on her own 4-storied barrier-free school building. Dedicated and trained educators and staff is the asset of Team Ahead .

 

His achievements

Starting career as a trainee, rose to the rank of Dy. General Manager (Finance) in Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., Kolkata, a Ministry of Defence Undertaking. Retired after 34 years of service. As Chairman of the Recruitment Board, he was instrumental in employment of many disabled persons in GRSE Ltd.

 

Received Helen Keller Award from Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in 1999

Best Handicapped Employee award from Prof. V.V. Giri in 1974

National role Model Award 2008

 

His other passions

Dr Chaudhury is the author of many books of nursery rhymes with supporting music cassettes in Bengali, Hindi and tribal languages for the education of the disabled as well as the tribal children. Recently wrote a children’s book for ‘inclusive education’ being a pioneer book in Bengali, English and Hindi languages on which an inter-active animated audio-visual CD is made as a joint project by two Govt. companies.

 

An Inspirational Film - "Flows Uneven"

His life-story has been made into a film “Flows Uneven – the World on Wheels” produced by Rotary Club of Calcutta Metropolitan and directed by Mr. Abhishek Ganguli, celebrating Dr. Banerjee’s infinite spirit to share and care for all. This film is now uploaded on You Tube, showcasing Ahead, Autism and odds faced by PWD (persons with disabilities).

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

We promote “Inclusive Education”. Some students after necessary rehabilitation and training have gone back to mainstream schools. Some are attending school partly here and partly mainstream till they are totally mainstreamed.

Our institute has special focus on students belonging to the economically poor section of the society. We offer 100% scholarship to special children belonging to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families while those from low income or middle income families pay only nominal charges as per their ability.
We aim for
“Total Rehabilitation” of our student by providing pre-primary, primary, and secondary and Open Basic education for those who can advance as well as vocational training, according to their interest and abilities, to help them achieve economic independence. We have a pre vocational and vocational training unit where we train students to acquire independence as far as possible. We have conducted government approved training courses in computer and making of handicrafts items. Our students regularly appear in job-fairs organized by us, various other organizations and Government of West Bengal. Many of our students have been successful in getting jobs in companies like KFC and Dominoes, while some have started their own enterprises after completing their training.

Under the expert guidance of our special educators and various therapists, most of our students acquire independence in daily life and social behavior to give relief to the parents and family.

Our students have won many scholarships, certificates and prizes in sports conducted by Special Olympics and also in various music, dance and art competitions.

Singapore International Foundation collaborated with AHEAD to organize training workshops in Singapore and even sponsored teachers’ training on Autism and other disability aspects.

AHEAD is the proud recipient of the
“Bharat Nirman Award, 2013” a prestigious Institution Award in recognition of its exemplary contribution in the field of Rehabilitation of Autistics and mentally challenged Children.
AHEAD received the state award in 2012 for creating
“Outstanding Barrier Free Environment” in school premises. AHEAD school buses are also barrier free and wheel chair accessible.

Very recently, we have been conferred
The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence for the year 2014 under the category – “A School That Cares”.
Sri Soumitra Chatterjee, the iconic Bengali film and stage actor and poet , awardee of  Padma Bhusan and Dada Saheb Phalke awards for his contribution to Indian cinema, has agreed to be AHEAD’s Brand Ambassador. He said he is proud to be associated with the noble cause and AHEAD. He praised our organization and expressed his admiration for the work AHEAD is doing for last three decades, of which he himself is a witness.

33rd Foundation Event celebrated at Kalamandir in August 2012 was graced by the presence of 
Sri M. K. Narayanan, Governor West Bengal and Smt. Padmini Narayanan. Representatives of Shri Narayanan visited the school before the event and were highly pleased with AHEAD activity and have promised to be by our side. Shri Narayanan praised AHEAD for its goodwork and encouraged us to march forward.

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OUR
MISSION

Working towards a society where disabled persons are equal citizens

Our Mission is to promote holistic development of children affected with autism, intellectual deficits and multiple disabilities. We help them overcome their barriers and realize and utilize their full potentials to enjoy full benefits of life. We are aiming for "Social Inclusion"of persons who are differently abled in every sphere of life.

INCLUSION IS OUR KEYNOTE

Education is the key to developing an attitude of inclusion. The practice of inclusion provides the model of acceptance, belonging, participation, worth and dignity. It enhances self-esteem and promotes understanding and friendship. Communities in which all children are included are healthier, balanced and more beneficial for all members. AHEAD is striving to synergize its special students with children from mainstream schools, preparing them for Open Basic Education systems and channelizing them to be at par with their mainstream peers.

“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”

OUR
VISION

No children is born to blush unseen….

Everyone has the right to live a happy life.A happy child learns more.

AHEAD is a playground for children with special needs. While being a School and a Vocational Training Centre, we also endeavour to create a wholesome, beneficial and a happy environment for each child who steps inside our doors. Unwearied for the last thirty-five years, we have been bringing hope to distraught families by encouraging education, functional learning and helping to identify the potential in these children with intellectual deficit, autism, hearing impairment and multiple disabilities. Our aim is to hone their special skills while synonymously giving them supervised and structured education. We gently nudge them forward on their own journeys and assist them in exploring their worlds in as many ways as they can.

WE LOVE, WE NURTURE, WE TEACH

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LEGAL STATUS

We are registered under:

1.  Societies Registration Act

2.  Persons with Disabilities Act

3.  Section 12 A of Income Tax Act, 1961. We are entitled in perpetuity to issue certificate to our donors for getting Income Tax Exemption under Section 80G of IT Act.


4.  Foreign Contribution Regulation Act

5.  National Trust Act

6.  Our curriculum is recognised by Mass Education Department, Government of West Bengal.

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