Field Visit GRACE Open School & Training Centre

BSW students visited GRACE Open School & Training Centre of GRG Grace Trust, Bogadi, Mysore, on 15thSeptember 2025 for a one-day field study. The aim was to observe how special education services are delivered, study teacher-student interaction and use of learning aids, evaluate the physical environment and infrastructure, and understand the institution’s vision, mission, and service scope through an orientation session conducted by the school administration. The objectives included:

1. Observing classroom facilities and resources.
2. Studying instructional methods and adaptations for special learners.
3. Assessing student engagement in classes.
4. Learning about the full range of services offered (remedial, behavioral, counseling etc.) through the orientation.

The visit began with an orientation session by the GRACE Open School administration. Here, BSW students were introduced to the founding of the school (established in 2011 by the GRG Grace Trust), its vision and mission, and the types of students served—such as those with autism, mental retardation, behavioral disorders, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, developmental disorders, school dropouts, and others.

They were also informed about the comprehensive services the institution offers: life skills training, remedial & academic education, counseling& psychotherapy, behavioral modification therapies, phonics & handwriting training, spoken English training, etc.

After orientation, observations were made of classroom sessions. Key findings included:

• Classrooms are well organized, with visual learning aids, charts, adaptive tools.
• Teachers use multi-sensory and hands-on techniques; content is broken down, repeated, and adapted to student needs.
• Students’ participation is generally good; interactive, tactile, or hands-on materials particularly help in engaging students.
• Limitations observed include: lack of specialized equipment for certain disabilities; higher teacher-student ratio in some sessions limiting individual attention; occasional noise/disturbances from nearby areas; and sometimes materials are not fully adapted for every student.

Conclusion

From this one-day visit, BSW students conclude that GRACE Open School & Training Centre is strongly committed to serving students with special educational needs. The orientation clarified the breadth and depth of the institution’s work, its foundational values, and expectations regarding staff and student support. The teaching methods, physical facilities, and learning environment largely align well with its mission.

However, for enhanced impact, improvements could include acquiring more specialized tools for certain disabilities, ensuring quieter and more conducive learning spaces, and reducing student-teacher ratios to promote more individual attention.

Overall, the field visit successfully met its objectives: it provided insights into the school’s infrastructure and pedagogical practices, student engagement, and institutional mission. For future field work, BSW students recommend longer visits, more structured interviews with staff and students, and follow-ups to observe how institutional policies are implemented over time.

Outcomes

• Understood GRACE Open School’s mission, services, and institution-level approach through orientation.
• Sharpened observation skills by witnessing adaptive teaching and inclusive classroom practices.
• Linked theoretical knowledge from coursework (special education, inclusive pedagogy) to real life.
• Developed empathy and awareness of challenges faced by students with diverse special needs.
• Recognized institutional strengths and areas for improvement in resources and infrastructure.
• Enhanced capacity for critical reflection on educational practices.
• Inspired to engage more deeply in social work practice focused on inclusive education.