Boy who lives on street attends world’s only ‘signal school’ in Mumbai, scores 83% in Class 8

Mumbai city news: The Thane civic body and NGO Samarth Bharat Vyaspeth started the signal school for children who beg or hawk wares

Mohan Kale, 18, a boy who lived on the street, would often peep through the windows of a local school. Teachers reprimanded him, thinking he was looking at female students. However, he just wanted to study.

Mohan Kale is one of the school’s 28 students. (HT File Photo)

The world’s only signal school for street children gave him a chance. Today, a year later, Mohan has passed his MS CIT course, securing 71%. He scored 83% in his Class 8 examination. School authorities have allowed him to skip Class 9 and promoted him to Class 10.

The Thane Municipal Corporation and non-government organisation Samarth Bharat Vyaspeth started the signal school at Teen Hath Naka for children who beg or hawk wares nearby. Mohan is one of the school’s 28 students. They have not only been educated academically, but also been taught the importance of health and hygiene.

“Mohan is sharp, obedient and hard-working. His father is physically challenged and begs at the signal to make ends meet. Mohan had to abandon his education midway, owing to financial constrains. However, he has the will to complete it. We see him studying at the signal even at 11 pm. We trained him in MS CIT for three months,” said Bhatu Sawant, NGO secretary.

The school initially began strengthening his basics. “Mohan is brightest student in the class. We have allotted him a special tutor, who will help him prepare for the SSC exams,” said Aarti Parab, school co-ordinator. Teachers said Mohan does exceptionally well in maths and keeps pestering them until he has understood every word the teacher has taught.