Prasad James, a sixth grader at Asha Niketan Deaf School in Karwar, may not hear the roar of the sea, but he masterfully captures its beauty on canvas. “I have painted the charming Karwar beach, its waves, fishermen with their boats, tourists, and the beautiful sunset,” James conveyed in sign language, translated by his teacher.
Asha Niketan, or the House of Hope, is a residential school managed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, a French congregation, under the Karwar Diocesan Development Council. Founded in 1996 near the Goa-Karnataka border, it is the first church-managed school for children with hearing impairments in northern Karnataka. The school currently educates 48 children, including those from neighboring Maharashtra.
“Children seem to enjoy their silent world, but we really struggle to get into that world,” said Sr. Tresa Irudayasamy, one of three nuns living on campus and teaching students in sign language. Despite her four-year tenure as hostel warden, Irudayasamy finds classroom instruction challenging, relying on a universal language of love and care that often transcends sign language.
However, Sr. Lynette Lopes, who became the school headmistress four months ago, emphasized that love alone isn’t enough. India lacks a standardized sign language for educational purposes, a significant hurdle considering the estimated 5 million hearing-impaired children in the country. The World Health Organization estimates that India has about 63 million people with complete or partial deafness. The 2011 national census recommended the development of an official sign language, but implementation remains slow.
Asha Niketan’s 10 teachers, all trained in special education, have honed their sign language skills on the job. “We use our universal language of love and care mostly, and it works better than our sign language,” said veteran teacher Sugandha Nayak, who has over 20 years of experience.
Sr. Elizabeth Rani, who led the school from Britto in the early 2000s, initially struggled to teach the Karnataka government-prescribed syllabus using American-based sign language. “First I did a diploma course in sign language, which was based on an American syllabus, but it did not work with our students,” she explained. India’s academic sign language varies regionally, and although a uniform sign language was developed in 2014, it’s not designed for educational use.
The Indian government launched a national policy for people with hearing impairments in 2007, but services, especially in education, remain limited. Rani attributes the slow progress to a shortage of professionals: India, with a population of 1.38 billion, has only 7,000 ENT specialists, 2,000 otologists, and around 250 to 300 certified sign language interpreters.
Despite these challenges, Asha Niketan’s students excel in extracurricular activities. Irudayasamy noted that many students are talented artists. Ninth-grader Bhoomika has won state-level dance competitions, and Surya Santosh Marate, another ninth grader, created a manger scene that became the school’s 2023 Christmas card.
Vinaya Prabha Rodrigues, a senior teacher, highlighted that the children, though genetically deaf, possess an extraordinary ability to learn by observation. Some students commute from nearby homes, and teachers visit their families during holidays to maintain connections.
Community support is strong. Sebastina Fernandes, a social worker who has served Asha Niketan for 25 years, mentioned the Indian Navy’s annual excursions for the children and teachers. The navy provides food, gifts, and entertainment during these daylong sea trips, a highlight for many students like James, who eagerly anticipates painting Navy Day.
The school integrates life skills training and extracurricular activities, such as art, handicrafts, and dancing, with the state syllabus to help students become self-reliant. During a visit, students proudly displayed their paintings, clay models, and handicrafts. The school also celebrates Hindu, Muslim, and Christian festivals, fostering an inclusive environment.
Lopes reported a 90% pass rate for their 10th-grade students last year and anticipates a 100% result for the current year. The school’s origins trace back to 1996 when Bishop William D’Mello of Karwar established it with four children in a rented building by the seashore. Despite winning an award for the best school for hearing-impaired children in 2009, it took three years for government recognition and funding.
Sr. Tresa Irudayasamy summed up the ethos of Asha Niketan: “The most I used is my smile that makes them smile, too.”
