ABOUT US
The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind (VMSB) – established in 1902 – is an institution dedicated to creating a bright and sustainable future for visually impaired boys through holistic education, skill development and self-empowerment.
With support from patrons like you, the school offers its students – most of who are from low-income families – free of cost education up to class VII; a range of vocation-based training programmes such as computer operations and massage therapy; extra-curricular activities like training in music, handicrafts and sports; and boarding and lodging.
Programs Open to All
As part of our vision to empower differently abled individuals to take their place in society as confident, productive citizens, VMSB offers vocational training programmes and facilities that enable students and adults to stand on their feet and create a brighter future for themselves.
These occupational training programmes are offered within the school premises and are available not only for the residential students but also to any individual with visual impairment.
Our various centres offering these programmes and facilities include:- The VMS-Radha Subrahmanian Centre for Computer Education
- The VMS Navnit Shah Library and Resource Centre
- The Massage Therapy Training Centre
- Competitive Coaching Classes
Beyond Academics
Drawing on more than 100 years of experience in nurturing differently-abled students into independent individuals, our curriculum focuses not only on education but also on strengthening the overall development of each and every student. Our students enjoy a range of extra-curricular activities like music, handicrafts creation, sports and gymnastics, to name a few. Through the years, we have often seen these childhood passions turn into a vocation, opening up an avenue for a productive, satisfying life.
Some of the activities enjoyed by the students include:
- Sports
- Excursions / Events
- Art and handicrafts
- Music
- Advanced Therapy sessions for students with special needs (offered at The VMS Learning Centre)
CONFERENCE ROOMS FOR HIRE
Support education for visually impaired children by utilising our conference facilities
Plan your next conference, workshop or board meeting in a venue that blends the grandeur of a historic era with contemporary comfort. The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind’s Standard Chartered Conference Rooms offer 3 spacious, air-conditioned conference halls in the unique setting of a heritage structure and green lawns. Companies like AlkylAmines Chemicals Limited, Onward Technologies, Raychem RPG and Tata Starbucks are some of our patrons who support the education of children with visual impairment and special needs by hiring our conference facilities.
OUR RICH HERITAGE
On 14 February 1902, a group of eminent citizens met in the hall of the Bombay Municipal Corporation to decide how to best utilise the Victoria Memorial Fund – an amount of ₹ 253,800, collected through public contributions – to perpetuate the memory of Queen Victoria, then Empress of India.
This was the birth of The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind.
The rich history of the school was carved by its first trustees – Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy, Sir Bhalchandra Krishna Bhatavadekar, The Hon. Mr. S. Rebsch, Hon. Mr. Ibrahim Rahimtoola, Sir Sassoon Jacob David and has been nurtured over the years by honourable visionaries like Mr. K N Jussawalla, Mr. J.B. Petit, Mr. Vijay Merchant, Mr. R. P. Masani, Mr. Madhavjee D Thackersey and Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, to name a few.
Our Vision
To encourage, nurture and develop differently abled individuals; to empower them to take their place in the world as confident, productive adults.
The Trustees
The Hon. Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay: Ex- Officio Chairperson
Mr. Madhav L. Apte: Vice-Chairperson/Trustee
Mrs. Kamalini H. Bhansali: Vice-Chairperson/Trustee
Mrs. Mala Goenka: Hon. Secretary/Trustee
Mrs. Kallolini P. Hazarat: Member Trustee
The Management Committee
Mr. Madhav L. Apte: Vice-Chairperson
Mrs. Kamalini H. Bhansali: Vice-Chairperson
Mrs. Mala Goenka: Hon. Secretary
Mr. C. V. Kothari: Hon. Treasurer/Member
Mrs. Anjali Laud: Jt. Hon. Secretary/Member
Mrs. Kallolini P. Hazarat: Member
Mr. K. Ramkrishna: Member
Mrs. Meena S. Deshpande: Member
Mr. Ramesh D. Chandak: Member
Mr. Sanjiv Navangul: Member
Our Academic Programme
At the Victoria Memorial School, we are committed to helping our visually impaired students, most of them from low-income families, to grow and flourish in a nurturing environment
Centre for Special Needs
The VMS Learning Centre
Nurturing children with special needs
The VMS Learning Centre was established in June 1999 in collaboration with the Centre of Special Education at SNDT Women’s University. The centre offers interactive learning programmes to support the development of children with special needs.
The VMS Learning Centre’s facilities are open to all individuals with special needs and help children learn subjects like English, Mathematics, Environment Studies, General Science, Social Sciences and Computers.
Centre for Life Skills
The VMS-Vijay Merchant Centre for Life Skills and Development.
Where children with special needs grow into self-reliant adults
The VMS-Vijay Merchant Centre offers specialised therapies and training in life-skills, to any child with special needs. Our faculty members draw on years of extensive experience in special needs education, behavioural therapy, speech therapy, yoga and dance therapy to help children achieve their potential, and grow into emotionally secure, socially confident individuals. The Centre is open to any child or adult with special learning needs.