Welcome To Pallavi Group of Schools
SAKSHAM 2025 is a national conference focused on inclusive education for children with neurodiverse conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other learning differences. This initiative, led by Dr. Sudha Turaga, Executive Director of Pallavi Group of Schools and DPS, and Mrs. Vijaylakshmi Sagar, Principal of Pallavi Model School, Tirumalagiri, aims to provide a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange on how educational systems can be made more accessible and supportive for neurodiverse students through policy reform, inclusive practices, and community engagement.
India’s growing focus on equitable and inclusive education has led to notable progress in recent years. However, children with neurodiverse conditions continue to be among the most marginalized within the school system.
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in the human brain and cognition, encompassing a wide range of neurological differences such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other learning or developmental conditions. Rather than viewing these differences as deficits or disorders, the neurodiversity paradigm recognizes them as part of the normal spectrum of human diversity.
Despite this progressive understanding, educational systems in India still often lack the awareness, resources, and adaptive strategies necessary to fully support neurodiverse learners, resulting in their continued exclusion or underrepresentation in classrooms.
In Telangana, the situation is especially urgent. The Telangana Social Development Report (2017) highlights that the incidence of disability in early childhood is 4% in the 0–4 age group, rising to 6.2% in the 5–9 age group. These figures are significantly higher than the national average and are compounded by findings from the Telangana Disability Study (2014) by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which revealed that children with disabilities are over 10 times more likely to be out of school, and six times more likely to repeat a grade compared to their peers without disabilities.
Such disparities point to more than just individual learning challenges—they signal deep systemic shortcomings in school infrastructure, teacher training, early detection, and social attitudes toward neurodiversity. Structural barriers such as the lack of inclusive curricula, inaccessible learning materials, and insufficient teacher preparation are often exacerbated by social stigma, which delays diagnosis and hinders open conversations about support needs.
Data from UDISE+ 2023–24 highlights persistent infrastructural and technological barriers that disproportionately impact neurodivergent students. Only 57.2% of schools have functional computers and just 46.1% have internet access, severely limiting the use of assistive technologies crucial for students with diverse learning needs.
These challenges underscore the urgent need for stronger implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India, which, under Paragraph 6.14, explicitly states the need to "ensure the full inclusion of all children, including children with disabilities, in the regular schooling process" and calls for the development of "resource centers, use of assistive technologies, and training of special educators" to support diverse learning needs.
SAKSHAM 2025 seeks to address these systemic gaps by fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and building actionable frameworks for truly inclusive education. It is a platform that brings together researchers, educators, policymakers, school leaders, therapists, and parents to create a shared understanding of inclusion—not just as an ideal, but as an evolving practice grounded in empathy, equity, and collaboration. The conference aims to amplify voices from the field, share replicable models, and generate actionable insights that can lead to more responsive classrooms, better-trained educators, and empowered communities
The Pallavi Group of Schools has long stood as a progressive force in the educational landscape of Telangana, championing the vision of holistic, inclusive, and child-centered learning. With a deep-rooted commitment to the National Education Policy’s ideals of equity and access, the group has continually evolved its pedagogy and school culture to embrace the needs of every learner, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance.
At the forefront of this vision is Pallavi Model School, Tirumalagiri, a flagship campus that has taken intentional strides to support children with special needs, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, speech and language delays, and other learning differences. With growing recognition that mainstream education must include all learners—not just in principle, but in practice, Pallavi Model School, Tirumalagiri has become a living example of inclusive education in action.
The campus currently serves a diverse student body that includes children with a range of neurodevelopmental profiles. Teachers are regularly trained in differentiated instruction, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and behavior support strategies. The school has also invested in creating inclusive infrastructure, such as accessible classrooms, therapy support rooms, sensory-friendly spaces, and integration pathways that allow neurodiverse learners to participate meaningfully in academic and co-curricular life
Beyond infrastructure and pedagogy, the school fosters an empathetic and supportive peer culture. Awareness drives, buddy systems, and sensitivity workshops help nurture compassion and collaboration among all students, making inclusion not just a system—but a shared value.
By hosting SAKSHAM 2025, Pallavi Model School, Tirumalagiri, reinforces its role as a thought leader and practitioner in the field of inclusive education. The conference is a reflection of the school's ongoing journey toward building an ecosystem where every child is seen, valued, and empowered.
As part of the larger Pallavi Group, this initiative also signals a broader institutional shift. Across campuses, policies and practices are being aligned to better support diverse learners, with a focus on early identification, family engagement, and inclusive curriculum design. Together, the Pallavi Group of Schools envisions schools as safe spaces where neurodiversity is celebrated.
The conference will focus on four interrelated themes that are essential to creating a more inclusive education system: We welcome research contributions and invite discussion on the following key focus areas:
Submissions should be emailed in Word format to: 📧 eatoexecutivedirector@pallavimodelschools.org
All papers must follow a standard academic format including sections such as Introduction, Methodology, Results, and References. Detailed formatting and eligibility criteria are available in the official guidelines which will be shared with you upon expression of your interest.
Event Details:
SAKSHAM 2025 will be conducted in a hybrid format to ensure greater accessibility and participation:
Ayikkara Drishya Nair
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Pallavi Schools and DPS