A Home for the Blind Children in Bangalore ,India
Mathru School was started with four children in Yelahanka,Bangalore,India in 2001 by Ms.G R Muktha.
It is a residential school for visually challenged children,entirely free.
It has modern facilities and dedicated,well trained teachers, and a set of volunteers for various activities.
It has computer instruction and also a Braille printing facility--digitally operated with a computer.
It also has a recording facility for lessons ,music classes and general games/play---both indoor and outdoor for children.
A small class in the early days
In the main,it caters to theneeds of poor children,mostly from rural areas, often neglected or abandoned by parents.Shelter,food and education have to be supported.....
Modern schooling
The modern approach to teach them is to not only help them learn Braille and use Braille books,but many devices with computers, especially voice-interactive software,audio-files stored in computers,use of search engines and so on.
The education of the visually challenged always stresses music and play-acting as part of their curriciulum....
What we provide is a set of not only trained teachers,but those with sensitivity to the problems of visually challenged.
About the school
Mathru School is located in the bustling area of Yelahanka in Bangalore--a city teeming with activity and industries,especially Information Technology[IT] giants and software developers....THis provides us with enormous opportunity and avenues to explore and develop innovative training methods for visually challenged which can be replicated elsewhere...Mathru School is structured on this premise of utilising the Computer-based approaches to the fullest extent.
At the same time ,the school also concentrates on skills that are marketable in urban setting....such as screen printing
and knitting
woolen dresses.
While most schools focus only on academic curriculum with strict adherence to school syllabus, Mathru endeavors to widen the exposure and experience of children in many ways.
Hands
The school provides regular instruction in music and arranges performances in the city too.
Our dedicated teachers and volunteers
At present we have 14 teachers and nearly a dozen volunteers to teach and train the students.
Facilities for Visually challenged
We intend to add many facilities, including physio-therapy unit ,more crafts and skill development facilities and sports facilities including a small gym for growing kids.
Sports activities are always given importance in daily routine for the children.
We need support for musical instruments and sports equipment.
Your support and feedback are always welcome.
Teacher Training at Mathru School
We are in the process of setting up taining course for teachers --a 2 year [4 semester] course--leading to
D Ed [Diploma in education] special education [for teaching visually impaired].
The eligibility will be PUC/10+2 course.
The course will be based on the norms and guidelines of Rehabiliation Council of India [RCI] and affliated to a local university --[The university will be decided soon. ]Note that the intake of student is restricted to 20 only.
