The Himalayan School Pioneers Inclusive Online Learning for Students with Special Needs

The First All-Online School in India to Provide Inclusive Admissions for Students with Special Needs

The Himalayan School, a fully online international school offering education from Grades 1 to 12, has announced the opening of admissions for students with special needs. This innovative program makes The Himalayan School the first entirely online school in India to use video conferencing (VC)-based evaluations for the assessment and admission of children with special needs, guaranteeing convenience, accessibility, and inclusivity for families nationwide.

India faces a significant gap in inclusive education. According to recent data, only 0.85% of enrolled students in India are children with special needs (CWSN). Over 600,000 CWSN aged 6–13 years remain out of school, while just 8.5% reach secondary school (Classes IX–X). Additionally, 150,000 special educator positions remain vacant nationwide, and only 32% of Indian schools have CWSN-friendly toilets. These challenges highlight the urgent need for innovative, accessible, and flexible learning solutions.

By offering small group interactions, individualized teaching strategies, and specialized guidance to enable children to learn at their own pace, The Himalayan School seeks to close this gap. A truly global and inclusive learning community has already begun with the enrolment of six students from Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, Doha (Qatar), and Aligarh.

Qualified and Trained special educators are on board to meet each child’s specific needs in order to guarantee high-quality support. Beyond academics, the school places a strong emphasis on life skills, boosting self-esteem, and holistic development to make every child feel appreciated, understood, and in control.

Speaking about the initiative, Sharmin Habib, Head of Business at The Himalayan School, said, “Inclusive learning is the future of education. At The Himalayan School, we believe every child deserves equal opportunities to learn and thrive. By combining technology with empathetic teaching practices, we design personalized pathways for students with special needs, remove geographical barriers, and create a nurturing environment where every child feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.”

The Himalayan School’s dedication to each student’s emotional, social, and cognitive development goes beyond academics, so parents can rest easy.

About The Himalayan School

The Himalayan School is a fully online international school (Grades 1–12) that blends academic excellence with modern digital learning solutions. Offering a Cambridge International Curriculum and CBSE-mapped courses, the school is aligned with NEP 2020 and NCERT standards. With its focus on adaptability, innovation, and inclusivity, The Himalayan School equips students to succeed in a rapidly changing global landscape.