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In India, deaf students are often the most neglected and marginalised, since there is no formal education system that caters to them. The only two real options are to attend a school for hearing students, or a deaf school that uses oralism, a form of education executed through lip reading. This type of education has been in practice for 70 years, but it has failed to empower deaf students.
To address this issue, Mr. Dharmesh Kumar, India’s first deaf principal, and Ms. Geetanjali Nair, qualified in Indian Sign Language with 17 years of experience in working with the deaf community, established Bhartiya Badhir Vidyalaya in Lucknow, UP to educate deaf and underprivileged children in the country through the Indian Sign Language
“When I was pursuing my MA Research from UCLan University in the UK, I gained vast experience and exposure to the kind of sign languages that exist and the education levels of all the deaf people around the world. I realised from my experience abroad that this school needed to be set up, so that our deaf children will not face education-related issues like this in the future, and that we can even give them the same standard of education that we see deaf people abroad are receiving.” - Dharmesh Kumar, Principal and Co-founder, Bhartiya Badhir Vidyalaya
The school has been a home to some of the most precious deaf kids for the past few years, neglected by our society and, in some cases even, by their own families for their different abilities. The world's definitions of normality refuse to incorporate beyond the ordinary, and these extraordinary children have so much to offer to this world. Yet, they are left behind by the rigid conventions of how the world functions.
As of date, there are 12 underprivileged children and deaf students, aged between 5 and 18, pursuing school education at BBV. It is a residential school, with a comprehensive syllabus that follows NCERT, Government of India Education. The students here are taught basic subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and more, by well-trained teachers capable of teaching in the Indian Sign Language.
“The school not only provides education, but is also a home. It is a residential school and these kids live with us 24x7 - the reason being, they have to have access to Indian Sign Language at all times. Their families have hearing, and do not learn sign language. So to teach them, we need them to be with us...” - Geetanjali, Founder, Bhartiya Badhir Vidyalaya
BBV is also the first deaf school in India to not only have a professional beginner-level telescope, but also be associated with NASA. After 2 successful projects ‘Moon Over Us’, the school will soon be starting their third project in collaboration with NASA, where the children will discover new asteroids that will be subsequently named after them with NASA’s approval.
After years of hard work and dedication, Dharmesh and Geetanjali have brought BBV to the brink of success. Despite all the hardships and obstacles they have faced along the way, their undying perseverance has kept their dreams alive for a school for the deaf.
“Education is not free. But it is for our students, who are extremely intelligent hail from villages belonging to the lower strata of society, and cannot afford to pay fees. They come from families that can’t even provide them proper food, let alone education. And so, I can't say no to their education because of failure to pay fees, either. It's a monthly struggle to get financial support. I literally go begging people every month to support us with our rent, electricity bills, ration, and other school expenses.” - Gitanjali NairCharity No : 319201431163
But now, their progress is threatened by an unexpected setback: the potential loss of their school. The school has struggled through many years of having to pay rent while they were challenged with other everyday expenditures and having no constant means of support. Without it, the deaf students who rely on this special education will be in jeopardy, unable to receive the same level of care and support they need to thrive.
“This school operates within a rented home. But now, the owner plans to sell the home within the next 6 months and we’re scrambling to find a way to keep our school. We need a permanent school for our children and a permanent roof over their head. Hence, we humbly appeal to you. Please come visit our school, meet us, chat with us and see what we are doing. You can then decide how it is you want to support us.” - Geetanjali
The staff and students at BBV are making a heartfelt appeal. They request you to kindly come forward and donate to the cause and give an opportunity to these deaf children to continue receiving quality education, their fundamental right, in order to live a life with respect and dignity.
