JYOTI SROAT SCHOOL, SHILLONG

How we started:
‘Jyoti Sroat’ means source of light. Under a former name the school was born out of the concerned of a few well meaning professionals and individuals of Shillong, for providing educational opportunities for children with visual impairment. The Society for Promotion of Eye Care and Sight (SPECS) founded by Dr. J.V. Basaiawmoit, with the expert advice of Sr. Rosario Lopez, the then President of Bethany Society, Meghalaya, established the first special school for the visually impaired in the city in 1993. After a short while the school became a unit of Bethany Society.

The school functioned in the old laundry rooms of St. Edmund’s School for five years. Eventually the same plot of land was kindly donated to the Bethany Society by the Christian Brothers of St. Edmund’s Shillong. In 2002 the school moved into its permanent building supported by the Ayudamas, Government of Spain.

The motto of Bethany Society ‘Earth and Humans Fully Alive’ whispers into the ears of Jyoti Sroat School inspiring it to opportune children and young people and its staff into a ‘Life with Dignity’, the motto of the school.

Our Vision:
All children and young people especially those with special educational needs and belonging to other vulnerable groups, in and around Meghalaya are empowered in an inclusive barrier free, rights based environment, through equality individualized, educational and rehabilitative programmes, to develop into wholesome individuals living independent and contributive lives with dignity.

What we are:
In 2006, the concept of inclusive education was introduced into the various school’s programmes, thus the mission now widens to cover all children including the disabled, disadvantage, marginalized and those coming from difficult circumstances.

Jyoti Sroat School (JSS) is a residential cum day school. Children with visual, hearing and locomotor disabilities from the rural areas of Meghalaya and from adjoining states reside in two hostels run by Bethany Society. Day scholars avail of the school bus service belonging to the latter.

The school received opening permission for Cl X from the Department of Education, Govt. of Meghalaya in 2009. It benefits from the SSA (IED Unit) for the lower and upper primary sections.

The school is seeking formal recognition by the Department of Education and inclusion of all enrolled children under the SSA Scheme.

Management:
The school is in the charge of a Headmistress who is visually impaired. For 2009 owing to the increased number of activities of the school the post of an Assistant Head was created. The latter looks after the daily running of the school. Seniour teachers mainly the teacher representatives to the Managing Committee are consulted for major decisions.

For immediate advice the Head consults with the Executive Director of Bethany Society. Further she is guided by a Managing Committee of 12 members. The nominated members are well-known personalities in the field of education and social service in Shillong.

1. Mr. G.G. Pariat - President – Retired Inspector of Schools, East Khasi Hills District.
2. Ms. B.G. Dkhar - Secretary – Headmistress JSS
3. Mrs. T. Nongkynrih - Joint Secretary – Teaching Staff
4. Mr. C. Noronha - Donor’s Representative – Director, Bethany Society
5. Bro. S. Morris - Nominated Member, Representative Christian Brothers
6. Mr. A.N. Diengdoh - Nominated Member, Member of the Shillong Bar
7. Mr. K. Kharkongor - Nominated Member, Headmaster Laban Higher Sec School
8. Mr. P.L. Diengdoh - Nominated Member – Principal L.P. Higher Sec School, Member of MBOSE
9. Mr. S.B. Dey -Teacher Representative, JSS
10. Ms. S.C. Syiemiong - Teacher Representative, JSS
11. Mrs. R. Lyngdoh - Guardian’s/Parent’s Representative
12. Ms. M. Makri - Guardian’s/Parent’s Representative

The term for the present Body lapses by early next year. The school authority also adheres to the requirements of the State Education Department, SSA Unit, MBOSE and to a certain extent the Department of Social Welfare.

Sources of funding:

1. The Bethany Society:
i) continues to bear the salaries of 80 % of the staff.
ii) supplements short fall of provision of hot midday meals on a daily basis.
iii) bears short fall from JSS to school bus services.
iv) maintenance of school building and compound.
2. CBM:
The Project will continue till 2010 only. The school benefits greatly from supply of furniture, teaching learning materials, uniforms and school accessories, braille paper for printing and software, training cost for staff members and above all contributes 25% of salary for some staff members.

3. SSA provides:
i) renumeration forming part of salaries for 6 teachers (2 L.P & 4 U.P).
ii) maintenance and teachers grants, midday meal for 90 children.

4. Sponsorships & Donations:
Individuals/Groups from Shillong, India and sometimes abroad on a one time or long term basis.

5. Contribution from parents and guardians:
Donations and contribution from parents according to their individual capacity.

6. Scholarships: From Atma Nirbar Ek Challenge and SMS Trust -
Six and two students are awarded annual scholarships from the above respectively.

7. Financial responsibilities of JSS:
1. Salary or honorarium for 20 % of staff members including substitute teachers.
2. Contribution of Employers Share GPF for all staff members. The contribution of one month salary’s amount to teachers’ welfare fund of Bethany Society for gratuity and earned leave
encashment to be credited once a year.
3. Maintenance & Upgrading of all computer and electronic equipments

The above are in addition to the every day cost of running the school.

4. Production of Braille text books for visually impaired college students. Till date these students are not charged for the good amount of books produced for them in the school. We have been able to survive so far because of support received from funding sources.

The Managing Committee of the School agrees that the culture of paying amongst students by the family members or guardians too should be encouraged and practiced.

Fund raising and income generation:
They are part and parcel activities of the school, crucial and vital for the up keep and running of the ever increasing number of programmes. Compared with other years, the All India Flag Day for the Blind event did not yeal its usual returns. The next year should see a change in strategies.

On the whole though considering the number of activities, people have been generous and helpful. Two cable channels have offered to contribute to the school funds by the end of the year. 80% of the expenses for the Cricket for the Blind Tournament was borne by sponsors, donors and partly by the State Department for Sports and Youth Affairs, per kind favour of Director Smt. M. War.

Collaborations with the NIVH and other agencies contribute considerably to the income generation programmes we have in terms of the printing press, sales counter, copy cat (xeroxing) and the Jyoti Sroat Music School.