Family in Vadodara dedicated to the education of deaf divyang children through sign language

23rd September is observed as The International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness about the importance of sign language. On this day let's talk about a family from Vadodara which is dedicated to the education of deaf divyang children through sign language and an organization where deaf children come from all over Gujarat to be educated in sign language.

Kamlaben Mookbadhir Vidyalaya in Vadodara which is run by Mookdhwani Trust and has been imparting education through sign language for perhaps four decades and also imparting vocational training to them.

Trust Chairman Rikesh Desai says that children from Vapi to Bhuj in Gujarat come to their institute for education and more than twenty teachers who have been identified as special educators are doing a good job of teaching them in sign language. This is a lot harder work than normal education.

Rashmi Mehta has been teaching sign language in this institute for more than two decades and is currently the Principal of the Secondary and Higher Secondary section. Her father Harshadbhai Rajgor has retired after a long career in this special education in Bhavnagar and Rashmi's brother Paresh Rajgor is currently a special teacher in the primary department of this institute. Thus, there are three special educators dedicated to the education of these special children.

Rashmi said, her father is a sign teacher and both she and her brother got into the habit of interacting with such children from childhood which led them to this special career. Any graduate of any branch of education can take up this profession by doing a special course of Special Educator.

The new education policy in the country, inspired by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has considered making the education system for these special children more effective. Arrangements are being made to educate them in normal schools instead of a special institution so that they easily adjust and join the mainstream of society.

Rashmi says the sign language varies a bit in every district and state of the country which creates discrepancies. To address this, the Government of India has made efforts to develop a coherent Indian Sign Language.

Talking about the achievement of such students, Deaf Aditya Bhalerao a student of this institute got education up to 12th standard in sign language. He obtained a diploma and degree in Fine Arts from M. S. University and today he is a drawing teacher in his native institution.

Rikesh and Rashmi says, these children are especially talented and their IQ is high. After studying in a special school till 12th, they get education with everyone in a normal college and get degrees or diplomas in various disciplines.