Towards a self-dependent life
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Pune: Asha school for mentally and physically challenged students, run under the aegis of the Army Wives’ Welfare Association (AWWA), Southern Command, has decided to impart vocational training to its students above the age of 18 years, to make them self-dependent.
Sunita Khanna, president, AWWA, Southern Command, said, “We plan to offer vocational training to these youths in the future. Many of our students are competent enough to be taught skills, which will then help them move towards self-reliant lives.”
Khanna was speaking on the sidelines of the annual day programme of the school organised at the Armed Forces Medical College on Tuesday. The theme of this programme was ‘Journey of evolution, from stone age to modern age’. Drama and singing performances were given by the students of the school.
Speaking to TOI, Chhaya Naware, principal, Asha school, said, “There are nearly 15 youths above the age of 18 at the school, who can get trained for vocational works.” Highlighting details of the training, she said, “Emphasis will be on vocational training, which will enable the students to earn their own money. They will be taught how to make candles, chalks, greeting cards, wrapping papers, carry bags etc. From the next academic session, we will also impart computer skills to select students.”
Naware said at present there are 133 students in the school. Out of this, 35 are students are wards of civil personnel. The students — including those with cerebral palsy, mentally challenged, autistic and hearing impaired — are provided with individualised training programmes.
Parent of a special child, Bhagvan Kanyal, said, “The society really needs schools like this. Thanks to AWWA, education for such children at a low cost is now possible.”
Started in 1993, the school reaches out to mentally and physically challenged children from families with civil and defence forces backgrounds both. It isequipped with several teaching aids for the development of special children. It runs on the guidelines of the Asha school, Delhi. Asha school, Pune, was registered in 1998 by the state government and recognised by the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment.
Physiotherapy for students
In an attempt to make its students healthier, the Asha school is planning to rope in a physiotherapist for the students. Trainers from various parts of the country, including Jaipur, will impart the training. TNN
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