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Monday 6 May 2013

Teaching the blind since 1898 : Ranchi

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and St Michael's School in Bahu Bazaar pursued it, the result of which was freedom for many who were trapped in the darkness. The school for visually-challenged children has been working tirelessly since its foundation in 1898 for the welfare of the visually-challenged children.

The school provides vocational training in carpentry and weaving, facilitating rehabilitation of visually-challenged children. The school has two vocational wings. One imparts training in
making cane furniture like stools (modhas) and chairs and a weaving centre where they are taught to weave carpets. "The demand for the products made by children is so high that at times they fail to meet the demand," said Principal MTP Agrawal.

"We usually market the products directly from the school itself to some organizations and utilize the funds thus generated for the welfare of the children," said Saumya Singh, the English teacher. Agarwal added, "Blindness is not a curse. It is important to make the children realize this. This is precisely what we are trying to do.."

The school is a residential one from Classes I-X and is affiliated to the Jharkhand board. The students are divided into small groups and taught in Braille. The school, at present, has a strength of 118 students from three states namely Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.tnn
The school also provides special training to children in computers and classical music along with different sports. There are 20 elderly people with visual impairment who also coach students in making cane furniture and carpets.

Shankar Oraon, a Class IV student said, "I had never thought that I would be able to make such exquisite pieces of furniture, but my school has made this possible for me."


Source : T.O.I , 6th May 2013 

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