Chandigarh, September 1: Deaf-mute students from Vatika Special School in Sector 19, Chandigarh, staged a protest outside their school for nearly three hours. Unable to speak or hear, the students raised their voices by making noise to express their demands. The protest took place on August 12, 2026, and included former students and parents who supported their cause.
The students submitted a memorandum of their demands to the school management, which included the need for a pick-and-drop bus service and sign language training for teachers.
Bus Charging Facility
While the school has an electric bus, students reported that it is not used regularly due to the lack of charging facilities on campus. The school principal stated that efforts are being made to resolve the charging issue.
Administration Listens to Complaints
During the protest, police arrived to understand the students’ grievances, with assistance from the social welfare department. Officials from the department listened to the students’ complaints. The principal also mentioned that they would work with the department to find solutions to the issues raised.
Principal Kavita Sobti noted that the students had not submitted written complaints previously, but now they will collaborate with social welfare officials to address the concerns.
School’s Humble Beginnings
The school began in the 1991-92 academic year with just two rooms at Karuna Sadan, Sector 11-B. As the number of students and their needs grew, the Chandigarh administration provided a government building on lease in Sector 19-B in August 2002. The school is an initiative of the Punjab IAS Officers Wives Association (PIOWA).
Education and Employment Opportunities
The school’s website indicates that its mission extends beyond academic education for deaf-mute students; it also aims to prepare them for employment through Indian sign language and skill training.
This protest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by differently-abled students in accessing essential services and the need for greater support from educational institutions and authorities.