by Khalid Bashir Gura
SRINAGAR: In the Twelth class examinations, the results of which were declared by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), all the ten specially-abled students of Abhedananda Home have passed with flying colours. Hailing from far-flung areas of Kashmir, four out of 10 students also got distinctions.
The excited school administration said all 10 students who passed the examination are hearing and speech impaired (deaf and mute).
Manzoor Ahmad, Principal said that presently, 100 students are enrolled in the oldest special school, established in 1941, and the only higher secondary institution for specially-abled children. “The institution has 90 hearing and speech impairment (Deaf and Mute) students enrolled and 10 visually impaired (Blind) Children at Solina, Rambagh,” Ahmad said.
The school administration acknowledged the support of the parents of the students that despite hailing from far-flung areas like Uri, Razwan, Anantnag, Beerwah, Banihal, they didn’t give up and stood firm with a vision to educate their Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
He said two out of four distinction holders are girls while others had secured first division.
“Two girls Nareen Jan and Bisma Nisar and two boys Arshid Ahmad and Mohammad Saleem got a distinction,” the Principal said, while six other students Suhail Bashir, Zubair, Fayaz Ahmad, Afsana Hussain, Nahida Bano and Zamrooda Akhter secured the first division.
All these students have studied in this school from nursery and despite hardships, they would reach school. Lately, when the educational institutions were shut all across in wake of the pandemic, the school with the help of parents coordinated with specially-abled students via WhatsApp assignments were given to them on the social media platform. The restrictions on movement due to pandemic triggered lockdown impacted the education in smart classrooms.
The principal also said that in order to make students independent and skilled, the school imparts vocational training. “We provided them with admission when they were kids. We do not receive admission or tuition fee or any kind of charges from these Specially-abled children. We impart formal as well as vocational education in Computers, Art and Drawing, Music and Cutting and Tailoring,” said Ahmad, adding that Visually Impaired (Blind) children have free hostels facility.
“I am not an expert in sign language but their teachers are. But I converse and understand them like their father or mother,” the principal asserted.
