95 year old school at Mylapore

The C.S.I High School for the Deaf at No-12, Santhome High Road, Mylapore, Chennai-4, was founded by the church of England Zenana Missionary Society (CEZMS) in the year 1912. It was called CEZMS school for the Deaf, Mylapore, Chennai. Subsequently on the 4th September 1956, the school was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 as “Church of South India School for the Deaf, Mylapore, Chennai-4

An English missionary, Mrs.Florence Swainson started this school in 1912 in the face of much oppositions with only 7 children. It was a residential school. Over the years other buildings were put up. The present main classroom block was opened in 1962, the boy’s hostel in 1971 and the girls hostel in the year 1975. From the beginning oral method of education was used but English was the only medium of instruction. From 1947 Tamil was introduced but English still continues.

The school has been upgraded in 1985 and is now called as the C.S.I High School for the Deaf. At present there are 170 children and more than 50% reside in the school hostel.

The Church of South India Diocese of Madras under the board of higher education now runs the school. World Vision helps 2/3 of the school children because most of them come from very poor families.

The school as a government aided institution is recognized by the department of rehabilitation of the disabled under the social welfare department, Govt of Tamilnadu. All the deaf children starting from 3-5 years with no additional handicap are admitted and educated upto SSLC level. Normal curriculums as in normal schools are followed. Creative activities like art work, wood work and needle work are taught. Games are a part of the curriculum. There are at present 25 government aided teaching staff; all are fully qualified teacher of the deaf.

Mrs.Rebecca Doraipandian, the headmistress of the school is specially qualified in educating the hearing impaired. She is very interested in the all round development and improvement of the school and the pupils.

The C.S.I Higher Secondary School for the Deaf can be contacted on 24985675. The school HM Mrs.Rebecca can be contacted on 9840228182