Surat’s Blind School Shapes Future of 135 Students: Integrating Education with Vocational Training for a Brighter Tomorrow
Today marks World Braille Day, a celebration of the discovery of Braille, a system that is as essential to the visually impaired as eyes are to the sighted. In Surat, Gujarat, the only Blind Education Mandal School in South Gujarat, situated on Ghod-Dod Road, is shaping the future of 135 visually impaired students from standard 1 to 12. The students not only excel in academics but also actively participate in sports. The school houses a library with over 1,200 Braille books, serving as a source of knowledge and enlightenment for these children.
The Significance of Braille: January 4th marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille, and is celebrated as World Braille Day. On this day, awareness is spread worldwide about the importance of Braille in communication for the visually impaired. It is a medium that helps the blind read and write, making the world more accessible to them. At the Blind Education Mandal School in Surat, the visually impaired students are not only provided with free Braille education but also receive vocational and industrial training. Students learn to make products such as chairs, files, candles, bags, floor mats, and ropes, and even sell these items to earn income.
Braille as a Gateway to Knowledge: According to Principal Manishaben Gajre, Braille is a medium that gives shape to the thoughts of the visually impaired, allowing them to read and write using their sense of touch. The state government’s Social Welfare Department supports primary education here. Through Braille, these students are overcoming their limitations and are eager to sing Braille poems, showcasing their immense enthusiasm.
Empowering Students with Technology: In recent years, the visually impaired students have started typing on laptops, mobiles, and computers to complete their homework. This year, two students from the school are set to appear for their 12th board exams using laptops without the aid of typewriters. They will receive their question papers in Braille, and the students will type their answers, which will then be submitted along with the printed answer sheets. The laptops use screen-reading applications to help the students navigate the screen with ease.
Success Stories of Visually Impaired Students: The school is not only focused on education but also helps the students integrate into society through technology. Through the use of mobile keyboards and voice-activated apps, the students are also learning to recognize currency and use Google Maps to navigate places. Last year, the state education board provided question papers in Braille for the 12th standard exams. The students are excelling in various extracurricular activities like music, computer science, and sports. Many of them have secured jobs in prominent sectors like railways and banking.
A Unique Blend of Education and Vocational Training: The school also offers a well-equipped environment with a library of over 1,200 Braille books, music facilities, gymnastics, science labs, and a recording studio. The curriculum includes audio recordings of textbooks, including math and higher mathematics, allowing students to learn through listening. Along with their education, students are also trained in vocational skills. They create and sell products such as chairs, bags, and candles, earning a source of income while learning valuable skills.
At this unique school, the combination of education, vocational training, and modern technology is empowering visually impaired students to lead a more independent and fulfilling life.
