Nagpur: Teaching is often described as a profession built on words. But inside some city classrooms, words are only a small part of the lesson. For students who cannot see, hear, or speak, teachers are redefining the very foundations of pedagogy — communicating through touch, gestures, facial expressions, and an extraordinary reserve of patience to ensure that no child is left behind.A visit by TOI to the Blind Relief Association and the Deaf and Dumb School found classrooms buzzing with activity and active learning as students communicated seamlessly through sign language, worked Braille with their fingertips, exchanged smiles with their teachers and celebrated Guru Purnima in unique ways. At the Blind Relief Association, Principal Mahesh Tembre said the institution provides not only specialised education but also residential and food facilities for many students who come from states such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Children are admitted from the age of six and study in a specialised learning environment until Class VII, then are gradually integrated into mainstream classrooms under the Ekatma Shiksha Yojana from Class VIII onwards, helping them prepare for higher education alongside their peers. “When a specially-abled child first comes to us, they are like a fragile ball of clay, unaware of the world. We mould their lives into something beautiful and strong, one day at a time,” Tembre said. The mathematics teacher said every lesson requires individual attention, from teaching students to use a Taylor frame and mathematical symbols to explaining geometry through tactile books. “One of our students successfully cleared the National Means cum Merit Scholarship exam, and we consider it a huge achievement”, he expressed. Similarly, Prashant Dhakate, who has been teaching for eight years, said the school follows the state curriculum while helping students navigate everyday challenges beyond academics. “Since these bright minds cannot see the world with their own eyes, we hold their hands at every step,” he said.At the Deaf and Dumb School, Principal Draupadi Chauhan said the teachers are given separate training on effective teaching solely through sign language. Some teachers opt for more courses on it. Every sentence is converted into visual symbols which can be easily comprehended by the students. The chart also contains visual ways to express emotions like anger, happiness, fear, etc. without words. The teachers speak while teaching, as well as enact their words and get responses from learners. Chauhan described Guru Purnima as a celebration of every guiding force in life. As part of this year’s programme, students honoured their mothers by washing their feet and seeking their blessings, while others dressed as Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini. She stressed that every entity that makes our existence possible, including the sun, trees and all that helps us become the better versions of ourselves, is our Guru.
