Report on Educational Visit to Deaf Biblical Ministry, Dimapur
An educational visit to Deaf Biblical Ministry, Naharbari, Dimapur was conducted by the Department of Education on 7th April, 2025 for its B.A 6th Semester students to facilitate experiential learning in special and inclusive education in consonance with the syllabus. A total of 39 students along with 6 faculty members paid the visit.
The Deaf Biblical Ministry was established in 1987 and recognized by the Directorate of School Education, Government of Nagaland. It runs a residential school for the deaf, providing free education and accommodation to deaf children from all backgrounds. It offers structured and quality education from Nursery to Class 10 with additional support for higher classes, and online courses for Classes XI and XII. Apart from the academics, the school offers vocational training in various skills like crafts, tailoring, beauty care, food processing, computing, agriculture and diverse trades, enabling deaf individuals to achieve self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. The school imparts holistic education, skill development, and fosters community support designed to empower deaf individuals towards dignity, independence and inclusion. DBM organizes workshops, seminars and awareness programs and specialized training for teachers of the deaf. Additionally, it offers courses in Sign Language that ranges from 3 (three) to 6 (six) months and beyond. DBM has further distinguished itself by achieving 3 (three) National Awards. At present, the school has about 60 students and more than 10 teachers and staff comprising deaf teachers.
The students from DGC were divided into 8 groups. Each group was assigned to a class to engage in close observation of the classroom transaction. The school students’ warm welcome, enthusiasm for participation, excitement to interact, and eagerness to teach alphabets and some basic conversation in sign language to the visiting team immensely won the hearts of the latter. The students engaged in one-on-one interaction with the school students as well as the teachers, and had direct observation of the classes through which they gained practical insights about the teaching-learning process. The team also viewed the art work and products created by the school students in their vocational training.
The classroom observation and interaction was followed by a short programme organized by the school at their Chapel which was attended by both the visiting team and all the members of the school. The Vice Principal delivered a short speech wherein she urged the gathering to support and remember the children wherever they go, to understand and value them, and to advocate for them. She also expressed the challenges faced by the deaf community in the absence of a regional sign language and strongly emphasized their fight for their “own language” despite the American Sign Language being in use. A special song in sign language was sung by all the students of DBM and vote of thanks was proposed by Ms. Limanaro Amer, Associate Professor, DGC.
The educational visit to DBM was a truly heart-warming and enriching experience for both the students and teachers alike, fostering a deep understanding of diverse learning needs and adaptive pedagogical approaches. It was an eye opening experience for the students which taught them valuable lessons on respect, patience, understanding, inclusion and the beauty of diversity.
(KILANGSUNGLA PONGENER)
Secretary
Department of Education,
Dimapur Government College