Deepika School
Deepika is a special school under the aegis of Sri Sharada Peetam, Sringeri.
We have been in existence since 1998 but came under the guidance and support of Sri Sharada Peetam in the year 2007.
Ever since what started with a handful of children increased exponentially and the school has gained very good reputation in the field of special education.
We started working with children struggling with learning disability (dyslexia and related issues) initially. However we were soon flooded with requests to help children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.
This involved increasing infrastructure and staff strength. We were supported in developing infrastructure by Sri Sharada Peetam and a few generous donors.
We started with just 8 staff members but now we have about 50 which includes teaching staff, counsellor, speech and physiotherapists, art, music and yoga therapists, sports trainer, sub-staff and drivers.
We introduced dance and music too to all the children and they excelled in these arts.
As a unique experiment we introduced Arts Based Therapy to work on behavioural and other issues. We have the most skilled and respected Arts Based Therapist in Deepika.
Some teachers even exceeded their efforts and brought in exceptional forms of teaching. We have teachers who dramatize the lessons and get the children to perform them. We have teachers who set to lyrics difficult lessons and compose them.
Children with autism receive Sensory Integration Therapy, speech and language training and music therapy.
Our students have received several awards in dance, music, painting and yoga. Deepika School won the Best Performance trophy every year that we participated in Kalangana, a unique national level competition on arts for special children.
Our teachers have presented papers in multiple conferences, national and international on varied topics such as music therapy, spirituality in the Intellectually Disabled, Lifetime support for the Learning Disabled, Counselling, Arts Based Therapy for Autism, Story telling through Yoga, Play therapy and many more.
Some of our teachers have received prestigious national level teaching awards. Many have received state awards.
Online Learning
Now with the pandemic taking a heavy toll on the attendance of children we have only half the students of the number that we had when we closed.
Yet our teachers have risen to the occasion bravely. Most of them had to learn to use digital technology in a hurry.
Classes are going on with better vigour now. Teachers have become very innovative and are doing yeoman work.
Most of our students come from lower or lower middle class families. They either do not have any digital device or there is just one shared by the whole family.
Yet we have adjusted our schedule so that each child receives some learning support from us.
Children also get fortnightly socializing online.
Online Programs for Staff and Parents
We noticed that this pandemic situation was also affecting parents adversely. Hence we have introduced a fortnightly support program for parents, just to relax, learn something new and feel invigorated.
We have introduced monthly support training and socializing programs for teachers.
All subjects including dance, yoga, music, art and physical exercises are happening online.
We are proud that the children enrolled in Deepika have not been allowed to stagnate and regress.
However with the minimum attendance and parents’ loss of jobs or full pay have resulted in loss of revenue to run the school and maintain the full staff.
We will deeply appreciate financial support now till we could get back on our feet.
Online Payment Method
Bank Details
Sri Charan Bank Souharda Co-operative Bank
Shankarapuram Branch
Deepika School
SB A/C no. 010100100001196
IFSC Code: SECB0000010