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Scholarship Program (Africa) | Patiala School for the Deaf and Blind (India)
Patialaa School for the Deaf and Blind
Building a New Home
The Patiala School for the Deaf and Blind has been a loving and powerful learning center in the state of Punjab, India for 40 years. Unfortunately, the classroom conditions as well as the living conditions for the boarding students have been less then adequate, due to tight spaces and a lack of funds for the center. Sponsored by the DD Puri Foundation, the Center will be moving into a facility more conducive for learning and life skills training.
 Information below was retrieved from the Patiala School website – www.patialaschool.org.
For over 40 years, the Patiala Special School for the Blind and the Patiala Special School for the Deaf and Dumb have been providing crucial education and life skills training to those that need it most.
Hard work and helping hands have turned into good fortune for everyone at the center. Soon, construction of a new and much improved school building will be completed. The new building will allow the center to expand. The number of students will more than double, vocational programs will be added to the curriculum, living conditions for students will drastically improve, and more staff will be able to jump on board to ensure every student receives special care and a quality education. Construction at the new site is scheduled to be completed soon.
Below is a briefing from the Patiala School
for the Deaf and Blind
- The Society for the Welfare of Handicapped (Registered) Patiala, Punjab, India was established in 1967 and since then is running the two schools for the deaf and blind free of cost from the premises of a building given to the Soceity by S. Kishan Singh Kamboj Charitable Trust. At that time there was no such institution in North India to impart specialized education to the deprived sections of the community and is a pioneer in the field of specialized education.
- A large number of deaf and blind students have since studied here and are well settled in life. Most of the deaf students work in their own vocation, and most of the blind students after getting their degree work for the government.
- The Society is registered under the Societies Act as per the Governmentt of India charter of regulations and functions within the parameters of the Act. It has a broad base of life members who elect the office bearers every year in the General Body meeting. The executive committee consists of 15 members with some prominent personalities co-opted as special invitees to oversee the working of the Executive.
Patiala School for the Deaf (Residential)
- Many children attending the school originally come from different surrounding areas. Since specialized schools in India are scarce, the children often travel long distances just for the opportunity to receive the indispensable education and skills training, specifically catered to their diverse needs. We are proud to have deaf and blind children from the regions of Leh and Ladakh.
- The school provides education up to class VIII. The school provides education in a scientific manner. It has well equipped classrooms with sound imaging and loop induction, systems that enable the students to pick up speech. Qualified staff, holding the qualifications required by the government of India, teaches all subjects as per the Punjab School education board syllabus.
- The students are also given training in the following:
- Speech Therapy: Provided to all students by qualified teachers
- Sign Language: Taught to all students
- Candle Making: A special craft of making decorative candles, is part of the curriculum
- Arts and Crafts: Taught to all students to boost skills and encourage creativity. Completed projects are on display at the school
- Tailoring: Taught to all students by qualified staff. Tailoring, an indispensable tool is part of vocational training
- Chalk Making: A new vocational training, taught to all students
- Cultural Items: Cultural activities, such as dance and singing are design to enhance the students numerous abilities
- Computer Education: The Society is eager to provide basic computer education to students. At present, the school has only one functioning computer due to paucity of funds
- The Patiala School for the Deaf can accommodate a maximum of 70 students. At present, 86 students are enrolled. The society for the Welfare of Handicapped meets all necessary expenses of the students, including residential (hostel), books, stationary, and uniforms. The service is a charitable donation, and no charges are levied by the Society.
Patiala School for the Blind (Residential)
- The school and home for the blind caters to 20 students. The capacity of the boarding is 20 and at present the school has 23 students of which 21 are staying in the hostel. The hostel is their second home and some of them have lived there for as long as 30 years.
- The blind students are given education in the following:
- Braille language: All teachers are trained in Braille, and are equipped in teaching the students.
- Music: All students receive training in music.
- Caning: All students are taught by a qualified teacher, and are proficient in caning.
- Candle Making: A special craft of making decorative candles, is part of the curriculum
- The society provides totally free education, and boarding facilities to all the students. The students also receive a monthly stipend.
- The Society for the Welfare of the Handicapped (Regd) Patiala, is striving to give quality education to the Deaf and Blind within the constraints of accommodation and funds.
- The Society has been well received by the community, and much support has been provided through public donations.
- Recently, the Society for the Welfare of the Handicapped received a donation of 4,000 square yards of land. This donation enabled the building of new and improved complex?, which is expected to house 300 deaf and 150 blind children.
- Currently, our management team consists of dedicated and experienced
personnel. The President of the school is a retired principal. The Vice
President, is a renowned social worker. Our current secretary is a
retired Army officer, with 28 years of experience in administration.
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In addition to critical subjects like math, science, Hindi, and English, the Patiala School places an importance on culture and arts. Students learn song, dance and even craft.
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