The Turnaround Story of Calcutta Blind School

A green stretch of land with a large fish pond is an unusual presence near the newly built Metro extension from Behala Baajar in the fringes of South Kolkata. Crossing a bus stop sign that reads 'Behala Blind School,' a relatively quiet place shows up, left flanked by an old one-storied building. As one crosses the building and the pond, the silence gives way to a hustling classroom building.

This institution, Calcutta Blind School, shares a history of 130 years. The slender wooden beams on the rooftops, long windows, and marble floors bear witness to the bygone era. This is one of India's oldest schools for students with visual impairment and one of the few to remain operational.

History

Founded in 1894 by Rev Lal Bihari Shah, the school won praise from Rajendra Prasad, Independent India’s first President, and Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. Shah began the journey of this institution by providing shelter and education to abandoned children with visual impairment. After Shah died in 1925, his grandson Amal Shah took over. A Padma Shri awardee, he drew considerable international attention to the school and encouraged many rural students to get admission.?

The alumni list has an impressive roster of achievers, spread in various regions around the globe. Among them is Sadhan Gupta, who made history as India's first visually impaired parliamentarian. Gupta attended CBS before going to become an MP from Kolkata and later the Advocate General of West Bengal.

Calcutta Blind School also played a pioneering role in Braille Printing with support from contemporary American and British Institutions.? Lal Behari Shah, the founder of the school created the Bengali Braille script known as Shah-Braille.

Struggles with Infrastructure and Other Resources

Five years back, the school was in a different shape. Distant from its glorious history, it was teetering on the brink of being shut down. Most teaching positions were vacant, hostels for the students were in terrible shape and many other wings including the legendary Braille printing press, low vision clinic, and computer lab were closed.

Things changed for the better when Tech Mahindra Foundation started the ARISE+ project in this school. Beginning with a computer lab and the provision of essential resources like teachers and mobility trainers, the Foundation has now progressed to offering advanced assistive technology devices like Annie Braille devices and Smart Canes to the students.

"When I joined, there were a lot of teachers in the school, slowly staff numbers fell, and by 2018-19, the number of teachers was drastically reduced. This is when Tech Mahindra Foundation came and started to support us," said Lisa Banerjee, the Principal and a former student of the Calcutta Blind School. A trained musician and a gifted teacher, Banerjee is attentive to all the little needs of her students and staff. Many students from West Bengal's interior districts see the school as a gateway to a better future. Residential in structure, the school now has close to 120 students.

Resilience During Pandemic

In September 2022, a Union government Project Approval Board (PAB) statistics revealed that the dropout rate in class 10 in West Bengal was over 15% higher than the national average (14.6%).? COVID had exacerbated the crisis nationwide. A similar fate awaited the students of CBS as well.

"COVID was a nightmare. However, we could minimise the setback in studies thanks to the Tech Mahindra Foundation. They sponsored Tablets for the students to study and sent out funds and ration kits to their families. This was a big help," Banerjee shared. The classes continued without interruption and students could concentrate on their studies.??

Use of Technology to Ramp Up Learning

A report by WHO-UNICEF, released in 2022, revealed that access to assistive technology in countries like India could be as low as 3%. TMF is trying to tilt the numbers for the better. The orthodox Braille system often makes learning difficult for slow learners. Annie is a comprehensive Braille self-learning device that helps the students learn at their own pace and makes the lessons fun and engaging.

With TMF’s support, the school has also hired a Computer teacher and built a Computer Lab for the students. Basic computer skills are indispensable for all learners in today’s world.

And the students have responded remarkably well. Ashikujjaman Mondal, a student of class 12 is the go-to person in the school to address all IT hiccups. Always smiling and full of questions, he regularly uses the Voice Assistive technology in the school computers to tune in to world affairs and practice writing skills. "I like to explore what is happening in the World and learn more about Excel and other skills," he shared.

His enthusiasm is shared by other students, the majority of whom do not have computers at home. The school takes immense pride in the achievement of another former student, Rani Basak, who went on to pursue a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications after multiple rejections.

Rani is now one of the brightest students of his batch and is an inspiration to many in the school. He would soon become one of the first BCA graduates with visual impairment.

Lisa Banerjee credited the students' technical expertise for good performances in competitive exams like CLAT. One of the alumni is studying at the National Law University, Odisha, a prestigious law school in the country.

"In the future, I want to become an advocate and work for my community so that they are not deprived of their rights in any way."

Abhijit Barman studies at the National Law University, Odisha. A former student of the Calcutta Blind School, he is the first person in his family to go to college. Always struggling with financial uncertainties, he never lost focus on his goal to become an advocate. He received tuition support, and Braille books for the law entrance exam from CBS and thanked his teachers for their constant encouragement and guidance.

Abhijit Barman passed out from CBS in 2021.

"School provided me with ample technical support and guidance, which significantly increased my confidence in exploring future endeavours."

Rani Basak emerged as a stand-out when his Higher Secondary Board Examination results were revealed. He achieved an impressive 92% overall with 98 in history, a remarkable feat for a student with visual impairment. Son of a daily wage worker, Rani aspired to become an IT professional. But he faced constant discrimination as BCA colleges refused to admit him citing his disability and barred him from appearing for BCA entrances. After persistent efforts from teachers, one college relented, and Rani is now pursuing his BCA there. He remains steadfast in his ambition to complete his BCA and secure a job.

Rani Basak passed out from CBS in 2022

Music: A Big Part of Life for the Students

“We are also thinking about newer ways to encourage them in other popular career choices like singing, music production, and sports.”, said Sudip Chakraborty,? Location Manager,? Tech Mahindra Foundation in Kolkata. Some of the students are exceptional singers and gifted musicians, who give live performances at different forums.

Nepal Singh, a former student added how he had followed YouTube to learn to play the Handsonic, an electronic percussion instrument with built-in sensors to detect the player’s hand movements and gestures. “I took some help from YouTube and my friends with sight and now I can play independently,” said Nepal, who is a regular feature in all performances in the school. He also guides his juniors with Handsonic now.

The Foundation released a music video titled "Khwaab" (Dreams), produced in collaboration with ANHAD Band and Manzil Mystics, featuring the students. "Khwaab" narrates the dreams of children with visual impairments. One of the singers from the group, Ahana, was also featured in a reputed music reality show in Kolkata.

Activities Beyond Classrooms

Compared with their peers without disabilities, children with disabilities are 51% more likely to consider themselves unhappy. Recently, a sensory playground has been set up in the school to ensure children with disabilities get an accessible leisure space for their mental health well-being. In this sensory garden,?all kinds of activities are done by touch and feel. The railings are made from tyres, and other eco-friendly material to help the children navigate and play here.? WHO’s World Report for Disability study found that persons with disabilities are less likely to socialise without accessible infrastructure. The most critical achievement of the school has been to build a safe community for the young students.??

Towards a Better Tomorrow

Most students in CBS come from very poor families, with no awareness about career options for their wards?CBS has given them a platform to shine. Lisa Banerjee shared how each student with disabilities has unique concerns and requires careful attention. She regularly follows up with the teachers and the guardians, when students do not join school after vacations.?

The teachers regularly check with the students who struggle with studies or face mental health issues. Counselling support is also available for students.?

The school has been on the path of progress with teachers in all academic subjects, library resources, and other infrastructural assistance from Tech Mahindra Foundation. The foundation embraced a strategy focused on sustainable long-term development plans for the school.?

"I want to make my career either in Music or Sports," Nepal said before leaving for cricket. Students here are learning to be ambitious about creating their careers in Sports, Academics, and Music.

Banerjee's eyes light up with pride when she speaks about the possibilities of her students. She remains passionately optimistic about their talent and the heights they can reach.?

Calcutta Blind School is going in the right direction. The school has recently?won the State Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disability in the category of 'Outstanding Organisation working for the cause of disability'. It is a prestigious award by the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Department, Govt. of West Bengal. Tech Mahindra Foundation is happy to be a small part of the lives of Ahana, Nisha, Sahanara, Gopi, Roshan, Sk. Arab, and many others at this reputable institution.

As the dust settles in, the sound of the cricket match and the cheers of the players drown out the rumble of passing metro trains, almost validating her dreams.