Mathru School for the Blind Bangalore

Mathru School ,in the main,is a residential school for visually challenged children,from age 3 to age 15: grade 1 to grade 10...the school is entirely free.

We have trained teachers;we also have nearly 20 volunteers [mostly women] who come to teach children.

We have Braille and computer class rooms as part of instruction. 

The students appear for the School Board examination of Karnataka Government Board.{SSLC}

Students come from all the southern states of India,mostly from Karnataka.The medium of instruction is English.

Almost all the students are from poor families,many orphaned or from single -parent homes.

Students learn to use computers with voice-interactive software and other software from grade 3....

They become proficient in MS Office products---WORD,EXCEL ,POWERPOINT  and so on.

A sound proof recording studio with digital equipment isregularly used to create audio files.

 A digital Braille press was added  with the use of scanner, Reader [using open=page software] and a BRAILLE PRINTER.

With this facility we make Braille books, by scanning regular books for our needs and for nearby schools...We can produce any Braille book within two days.

                          Braille printer with computer facilites

[We also share our facilities for making Braille books with other similar Braille presses.]

 A separate library of Braille books was created.It has 600 books --general books,story books besides copies of text books...The Library is a hub of activity throughout the day as students spend at least one hour there for grades 5 to 10.

 Vocational training,besides computer skills, is an essential part of curriculum for these children...Many skills---screen printing, knitting and weaving, making hand bags with hand-made paper,coir mat making,soft dolls,bead jewelry ---all these are taught here.

The centre conducts short 6 week training program for trainees selected from the outside applicants too.Physically challenged persons are also given training here.

We would be expanding this facility to reach out to many in the rural areas who need these skills.

Almost all the products are sold easily to generous customers and in local fairs.

 Helen Keller with her teacher Anne Sullivan ---both inspire our students and teachers at Mathru School.

A new site for vocational training --a one acre plot had been acquired in Yelahanka from Govt of Karnataka .The Independence Day was celebrated there with all the children.

 Art and craft training is a regular part of school curriculum for their deft hands and fingers.

Children learn to make bead jewelry,soft dolls,fancy toys and so on...these are exhibited and sold in local craft trade fairs.

Children are taught music every day with classical instruments[tabla, violin etc] and also modern ones---Keyboard,guitar and others..We have music teachers as well as volunteers to teach them.

                      Hands on training in knitting!

                  A music program at a centre for senior citizens

       Annual cultural program and stage-play at the city auditorium

Stage plays and short  skits are taught. The children satge a drama program in the city every year. This exposes them to the general public.

 This project was executed   by Carnegie-Mellon University ,Pittsburgh,USA, [Computer-science-Robotics dept]to develop and test an electronic based Braille Tutor with computer interface of easy learning of Braille,especially for very young children whose fingers are very delicate.The device was field tested in our school.  It is voice -interactive use makes braille easy and fun to learn.Here you see one of our students--Srinivas --testing the product. Microsoft Corp also colloborated in this project,with a view to commercialise later.

Visit :  www.brailletutor.blogspot.com 

Many young women and men find it a satisfying experience to volunteer and teach at our school.A few men also do teaching here..nearly 15 voulnteers regularly teach at our school--language, music,games and other subjects...If you live closeby in Yelahanka, please visit and volunteer at least once a week. 

Some of our children need physiotherapy often.Physiotherapy is expensive in Bangalore.Therefore we developed a small unit for our children and for local residents who may need this service. Usha Nair, a qualified physiotherapist , is providing treatment in the evening hours at  our school.

We have modern style dormitory ,separetely for boys and girls.

We have modern kitchen with steam-sourced heat and ovens for hygenic cooking and a spacious dining hall.Solar water heaters on the roof provide hot water for bath.

Mathru School continuously updates its teaching methods for visually challenged children ,based on our experience and special needs of children...We have a plan to introduce Montessori method of educating  some of the children. Trained persons in Montessori method can approach us and help us in introducing this method for elementary school children..

We provide job opportunities for talented ,trained persons in the areas of resource teachers, music teachers, craft and computer trainees.

 We will be providing opportunities for teacher training for special education stream.We can provide practical experience /apprenticeship in physiotherapy in our unit.