Sandnya- On Diwali Vacation

SSS has gone on for Diwali vacation from 25th Oct. to 6th Nov. It will reopen on 7th Nov.2011. Starcirclip Unit & our Nagpur office will start working from 29th Oct. 2011. Though vacation were from 25th, on 24th Oct. there were 35 students present as against 78-79 on routine days. It was a surprise because there was no public holiday and obviously working parents were not at home. So what must be the reason for this low attendance? We were operating both the buses and off course all staff as well. Many times I fail to understand the psychology of parents. What factor prompts them to keep their ward at home for obviously no reason. If parents had brought this point in parent meetings, it could have been discussed and if majority wished vacation could have been from 25th itself. Anyway!!
We are happy about one thing and that is average attendance for this session. It is heartening to see that out of 88 on most of the days 78-79 students are present. Consistency in attendance is very important. In learning process of mentally challenged we simply can not ignore this consistency factor. It is absurd to imagine that they will learn when you have time for them. The most unfortunate part of mentally challenged's life is, his care takers take him for granted. Since they are not self advocates it all depends on the whims, liking-disliking, availability of time and social concerns of the care takers. Some times you find parent too much concerned about his ward and on other occasion he seems to be list bothered about his ward's development. When our Principal calls for the parent's one to one meeting, they are having other priorities. But when there is some behavioral problem at home, they are concerned about his progress. But with regard and respect for the special parents, we at Sandnya feel that parent themselves should have consistency in responding to the call of management and the need of their ward.
By: Navin Deshpande
e mail: navindesh@gmail.com

Awareness Meeting for students

Last week Sandnya Srushti had 40 students of 9th standard from Center Point School. Four staff members also accompanied them. They reached Little late then the time scheduled. In fact we prefer our visitors to attend our morning prayer. It helps the visitor to understand the gravity and complexity of mental disability. We encourage students from normal schools to visit our campus. Seeing is believing, further it helps realizing the limitations of mentally challenged. Which in turn supports integration as well. These young visitors were taken on a conducted tour of Sandnya Srushti by dividing the lot in three groups. We took them through special schooling class rooms, vocational section and then through rehab units. Our trained guides explain about methods of special education and techniques. While going through vocational section guide explains to visitors about concept developing techniques adopted. Through rehab units, they try to emphasis that mental disability does not mean work disability. In therapy section, visitor understands the importance of different exercises under taken to keep our students fit.

By: Navin Deshpande

e mail: navindesh@gmail.com