Bethshan Special School is an institution meant for the persons with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. Bethshan is a Hebrew word which means ‘House of Security’. As it name says, the institution caters the special needs of the persons with Intellectual disabilities and serves as a second home with uttermost care, protection and security. ( Fix Photo)
Legal Status :
It’s a nonresidential day special school duly recognised by the state government of Tamil Nadu and registered under Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It was established under The Evangelical Baptist Mission ( Trust ) in the year 1995 which is a registered Religious ( Christian ), Social and Educational Trust .Regn.No:2555/95. The trust is registered with home and finance ministry of Govt. of India and registration number allotted for receiving foreign contribution from other countries by Home Ministry.
Need for starting of this organization:
The persons with intellectual & developmental disabilities need long term care and training to lead an independent life. In Indian Context, persons with intellectual & developmental disabilities are considered almost ‘outcasts’ even by families and close relatives. They are not even considered as human beings who are to be educated to some extent. Their parents also resorted to all wrong methods which they thought would rectify their ‘wards’ intellectual disability but it is proved to the next to impossibility. Thus their parents are frustrated. The society also gives all possible sexual harassment and inhuman torture. The society treats the children as a result of the parent’s sins committed. All these happen because the society and the people at large do not have adequate knowledge about intellectual disabilities.
According to a sample survey taken by co founders of the Bethshan Mr.A.Jeyapal & Mr.R.Ravikumar during the year1995 – 1996, 320 children were identified as intellectually disabled in and around Madurai which shows that the percentage of mental disability is more than the other disability.
( Fix Photo)
When the founders took the survey, they were shocked to find that the children who were affected mentally were discarded and treated not on par with other normal children. Also they found an 18 years old boy who drank the drainage water in the centre part of the city while none of the public cared him. So the founders took it as a challenge and intended to start a special school for them with dedication.
Founders:
Bethshan Special School has two founders who are basically family friends from boyhood and professionals in special education.
- R.Ravikumar is born in the year March,1972 completed Bachelors degree in Rural Development Science at Arul Anandar College, Karumathur, Madurai during the year 1990- 1993 and joined in post graduate diploma in Mental Retardation at Madurai Kamaraj Univeristy in the year 1993- 1994. Then he completed Master of Sociology and Master of Psychology in Annamalai University. To update his knowledge in special education, he did B.Ed in Special Education (Mental Retardation) at M.P.Bhoj University, M.Ed in special education at Indira Gandhi National Open University and did M.Phil in Psychology at Tamil Nadu Open University. Presently he functions as a Principal of this special school.
- A.Jeyapal is born in the year August, 1971 completed his graduation in History at Arul Anandar College, Karumathur, Madurai during the year 1989 – 1992 and joined in post graduate diploma in Mental Retardation at Madurai Kamaraj Univeristy in the year 1993- 1994. Then he completed B.Ed in Madurai Kamaraj University during the year 1997. Presently he functions as a program Coordinator.
( Fix Photo of A.Jeyapal )
Management :
Bethshan Special School is run by the Evangelical Baptist Mission and managed by a management committee consists of five members.( Fix Photo of Committee members )
Location :
The school functions in its own building at 3/828, Sikkandar Chavadi, a sub urban place 10 kms away from Madurai City.
( Fix Photo of Present school building photo)
( Fix Madurai Map )
Staff Profile :
Bethshan has competent teaching faculty who are Registered Rehabilitation Professionals with Rehabilitation Council of India (A statutory body under the Govt.of India). We have experienced and highly qualified Special Educators. Presently we have 16 staff members which include 8 special educators, 1 physio therapist and 6 assistive staff members.
| Sl.No | Name of the staff | Designation & Experience | Qualification | Photos |
| 1 | Mr.R.Ravikumar | Principal
26 Years |
B.Sc., M.A.,(Socio) M.A., (Psychology) M.Ed ( Special Education- M.R.) P.G.D.S.Edn ( M.R),
M.Phill(Psychology) |
|
| 2 | Mr.A.Jeyapal | Program Coordinator
26 Years |
B.A., ( History)
B.Ed., P.G.D.S.Edn ( M.R) |
|
| 3 | Mr.Y.Isaac | Special Educator
22 Years |
B.Sc.,(Maths)
B.Ed ( Special Education- M.R.) Intensive course on Dyslexia M.Sc (Psychology) |
|
| Click More… |
| Sl.No | Name of the staff | Designation & Experience | Qualification | Photos |
| 1 | Ms.Josephine | Special Educator
20 Years |
B. A., (Psychology)
M.Sc (Psychology) B.Ed ( Special Education- M.R.) |
|
| 2 | Ms.S.Nagalatha | Special Educator
13 Years |
M.Sc.,
B.Ed ( Special Education- M.R.) |
|
| 3 | Mrs.M.Amutha | Physio Therapist
12 Years |
B.P.T |