All 10 deaf and dumb students from Utkarsha Mandal Mookdhwani School clear SSC board examinations with maximum 90 per cent and minimum 69 per cent marks; Six students scored above 80 per cent, one scored above 90 per cent, two students scored above 70 per cent, and one secured 69 per cent
Utkarsha Mandal Mookdhwani School students. Boys from left: Harshad Londhe, Omkar Salvi, Pratham Chari, Anand Sable, Nikhil Shivgan and Rohit Pawar. Girls from left: Rutuja Sukhadare, Lucky Patil and Janvi Lohar. Pic/By Special Arrangement
All 10 students of Vile Parle’s Utkarsha Mandal Mookdhwani School, an institute for deaf and dumb pupils, did their alma mater proud by passing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) board examination with flying colours. Six students scored above 80 per cent, one scored above 90 per cent, two students scored above 70 per cent, and one secured 69 per cent.
The biggest strength of these students, according to the school’s principal, Neha Gandhi, is that they can focus extremely well as they have few, if any, distractions. “We have noticed that over the years, students have become more enthusiastic. Today, they wish to lead a normal life,” said Gandhi.
Students Rohit Pawar (left), Anand Sable with their principal, Neha Gandhi, at the Utkarsha Mandal Mookdhwani School in Vile Parle East. Pic/Dweep Bane
As the clock struck 1 pm on Tuesday, the eagerness and nervousness in the eyes of Anand Sable and Rohit Pawar were palpable. “I was elated to see that I had scored 76 per cent. I am also very overjoyed that all my fellow classmates passed,” said Pawar, whose mother is a housewife and father is an auto driver.
Sable, whose mother is a housewife and father a wireman, said, “I am overjoyed. When we set our goals, my aim was just to pass with 40 or 45 per cent because I don’t like to study as much as my classmates. But I managed to secure 69 per cent.”
Students Anand Sable (in T-shirt) and Rohit Pawar celebrate after the SSC results are announced at the Utkarsha Mandal Mookdhwani School in Vile Parle East. Pic/Dweep Bane
Both Pawar and Sable wish to work at a bank someday. “We have decided to join the TEACH [Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired] institute, secure a bank job and support our families, who have always encouraged us,” said Pawar.
“We also wish to become financially stable so that we can support many more children like us when we grow up,” added Sable.
Other hurdles
“None of these 10 students come from economically strong backgrounds. They do not even have enough space to study at home. Also, their siblings were taking exams at the same time as them. In such a scenario, it was difficult for them to study as these students read out loud when they memorise their lessons,” said Sheetal Sawant, special teacher at Utkarsha School.
How is the exam conducted?
The syllabus for Mathematics, English, History and Geography is exactly similar to that designed for regular students. However, they learn Home Science and Physiology and Hygiene instead of the regular Science subject, which includes Chemistry, Physics and Biology. “The board allows the students to choose one from English, Cooking, Stitching, Electrical Works, Beautician courses. Also, the Mathematics paper is of 50 marks, and the remaining 50 marks are for a subject in which the students learn to make milk products,” said Gandhi.
95.84%
Pass percentage recorded by Mumbai division
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