A very special school for very special students, School of Hope is the result of an initiative by a determined mother, Radha Kanad, to make her son independent. Radha Kanad started a small school in 1976 in her house to help her own child and some other special children like him.

With days, there was a gradual change in the city, as parents became aware of the needs of special children. Then a group of like-minded people got together and approached concerned authorities for a plot of land to start their own school. That done, the foundation stone of the school was finally laid down by Mother Teresa in 1980.

School of Hope started functioning from 1981, managed by the Jamshedpur Society for Welfare of Mentally Retarded Children. It was created to train all minds, which could not develop with age. An institution with a difference, the school imparts education and training to individuals, who are not blessed with a developed mind to cope with the pressures of society.

Bringing a smile

Bringing a smile to all has been the guiding mission of the school. Its endeavour is to bring forth a ray of hope in the lives of innumerable children, who are unable to perform even the basic tasks such as tying shoelaces or buttoning shirts.

The institution also aims to provide valuable survival and educational skills to students and trains them to become relatively independent in life.

Psychological help

Divided into various categories, the school puts students in classes based on their mental age and ability.

The assessment is done when they are brought in for admission. A case history copy of each child has to be deposited at the school for continuous reference. Seen as a measure to gauge the child?s mental condition, the psychologist arrives at their exact condition through a series of tests.

On deducing the child under mild, moderate or the severe category, teachers assess their skills and abilities under various heads, which is followed by thorough planning for the individual.

The clear stress is on a particular area that requires immediate attention. ?Often we begin from the basic: application of toothpaste on a brush, and steadily go on to other activities,? said principal Shyamala Raju.

Six groups

There are six groups that children are divided into ? the playgroup, pre-primary, primary, secondary, pre-vocational and vocational.

Children in the playgroup section are trained to learn the basics, colour differentiation and are taught elementary academics through stories. ?We adopt playway method to give them a feel of fundamentals. Later they are taught other difficult actions,? said the principal.

Starting from this year, students would be channelised for the vocational units depending on their interests shown in the pre-vocational session.

It also offers assistance for speech therapy, and a physiotherapy unit.

Well done!

Awards for students come in the form of everyday ?stars?, which are given to them following their daily actions. The government also has decided to encourage students by giving them an incentive of Rs 50.

Extension unit

There is an extended training unit for all those individuals above 20 years of age.

More a training centre than a school, it aims to encourage members to channelise their potentials. Students are taught hand and machine stitching, weaving and candle making, with emphasis on adopting the latest trends including, smokeless and beautiful floating candles.

Evaluation

For special children, each day?s progress is special and requires continuous evaluation through tests. Every fourth month, students are given a report cards to tell them the extent of their improvement.

Extra-activities

Right from interacting with students of other regular schools to taking part in different activities, the school encourages students to feel an integral part of the society.

And so far the extra efforts have shown results. Many students have done the school proud by winning laurels at National sporting events and some have even won accolades at academics. The school also hones co-curricular skills of children by engaging them in yoga, musical instruments and art and craft.

?The biggest challenge is to assess the behavioural skills of special children and to teach them the basic activities of daily living. Once they learn to be independent and can carry out daily activities, they can cope better with challenges,? added the principal.

fact sheet

What Is It: School of Hope, a school for special children

Address: School of Hope, B Road, Northern Town, Jamshedpur ? 831001

Contact Number: 0657-2433889

Principal: Shyamala Raju

Vice-Principal: Banani Chakravarty

Psychologist: Shubhuda Kulkarni

Fee Structure: Rs 300 every month for those who can afford it. For children of Tata Steel employees, the fees is borne by the company till the employee is with them. There are many, who are unable to meet the expenses and thereby receive free education