Date:11/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/11/stories/2007051103460200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

School for children with visual problems

Staff Reporter

`It is the first of its kind in the country'

Government urged to earmark Rs. 50 lakh for running the school

Appeal to philanthropists to extend help for the programme

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind has for the past 40 years been striving to promote the welfare of persons with visual and other disabilities.

The association's integrated education programme for children with disabilities has become a model for other organisations in and outside the State. The association has started a centre for inclusive education for children with visual disabilities. Sushikshana Saadana is an integrated higher secondary and high school that has been set up based on the guidelines of the Union Government's Inclusive Education Policy for the Disabled, Honorary General Secretary of the association S.P. Murthy has said.

"Our school is the first of its kind in the country. The requirements of children with visual disabilities will not be addressed properly in schools for normal children. We started the school because we wanted to impart high quality education and training to such children," he said.

Mr. Murthy said that due to a few technical problems in the grant-in-aid code, the association had not been getting funds from the State Government.

He said it was heartening to note that the State Government, in collaboration with reputed educational institutions, had initiated measures to provide CBSE education to children in the slums. "We urge the Government to earmark at least Rs. 50 lakh so that we can continue the school in at least a rented accommodation. Any delay in a release of the funds will upset the progress of the association and the several innovative activities that have been taken up," he added.

Appeal

He urged the Government to help the association find a suitable site for the integrated high school, preferably close to the association's office in Seshadripuram.

Mr. Murthy also urged corporate bodies and philanthropists to help the association continue with the programme. For details, contact the association at 69, 1st Main, Nehrunagar, S.C. Road, Seshadripuram, Bangalore - 560020, or call Ph: 23369703 or 23345118.