Opening of a college for hearing impaired students in Bapatla

Government Residential School and Junior College for Hearing Impaired Students at Vedullapalli in Bapatla District. | Photo credit: T. Vijaya Kumar

The Government Residential School and High School for Hearing Impaired Students at Vedullapalli in Bapatla has been quietly changing lives for decades. Students who communicate using sign language have become engineers, clerks, registrars and skilled professionals. Now the Andhra Pradesh government has promised to usher in another chapter in their lives by opening a college for them.

The state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on July 23 approved the establishment of a government college for hearing-impaired students from the academic year 2026-27. The college will start with 30 seats for B.Com. (Computer Applications) along with certification courses in Artificial Intelligence. Multiple degree programs including BA, B.Com. and B.Sc., were also proposed.

The residential school started with just 50 students during the NT Rama Rao government in 1987. Today, it has a sanctioned strength of 230 students and currently educates 215. Intermediate courses were introduced in 1999 by the then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Since the academic year 1999-2000, the institution has maintained an outstanding record of 100% pass in SSC and Intermediate public examinations, which reflects the determination and ability of its students, School Principal DS Razia told The Hindu.

Every year, nearly 450 hearing-impaired students pass the intermediate exams in Andhra Pradesh. However, the absence of a government college forced many to discontinue their studies. The new institution is expected to bridge this gap.

Graduates of the school have already proven that a handicap is never a limitation. Alumni are serving in various government departments. Many of them are also employed in private companies, including D-Mart, Flipkart and Amazon in Guntur, earning around ₹15,000 a month, Ms. Razia said.

In addition to academics, students are trained in computer applications, warehousing, welding, forging, carpentry and drafting. He actively participates in sports such as volleyball, kho kho, chess, hoops and discus.

Bapatla District Collector V. Vinod Kumar said the administration is committed to start classes as per the state government’s guidelines.

Students’ dreams extend far beyond the classroom. For example, Y. Swathi, a Plus-1 student and a volleyball and kho kho player, hopes to represent India in national and international competitions.

School Principal DS Razia said the students have exceptional learning ability and can successfully attend vocational and technology courses.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 11:37 IST