No access to online classes, digital resources or sign-language educators — the pandemic affected the education of deaf children much more than their mainstream counterparts in the marginalised communities of Bengal.
The Child in Need Institute, Graham Bell Centre for the Deaf and the Khagenhat Welfare Organisation recently conducted a study among 171 deaf students pursuing secondary education in the state. The initiative was supported by the UK-based international charity Deaf Child Worldwide.
One-third of the children interviewed had reportedly no access to any electronic device and were thus unable to attend the government-run online classes. Those, who had TV at home, complained that it was difficult for them to grasp some lessons as there were no sign-language educators. The study results were discussed elaborately at a webinar on May 27.
The speakers in the webinar included Samagra Shiksha Mission’s Calcutta district IED (inclusive education for disabled) co-ordinator Sanita Ray, its Bengal co-ordinator Sukanta Goswami, former disability commissioner of Karnataka V.S. Basavraju and others.
The Deaf Child Worldwide’s South Asia head Shampa Nath said over the phone from the UK: “The NGOs made customised educational videos to help children with special needs. The learning centres opened as soon as it was safe to do so, and the children were taught here following the Covid-19 protocols. The sessions conducted on smartphones, wherever possible, and home visits helped stem the dropout rates in these two years to a great extent.”
“We should always support a school-going child. He or she should be able to access education easily, and that’s our aim,” said Sanita Ray