Mitra Pantić is seven years old and lives in Bijeljina in Bosnia-Herzegovina, she hopes that she will soon be educated in the language she knows best - sign language.
When Mitra started first grade in elementary school, her teacher noticed that something was wrong. Mitra did not join in the lessons and did not seem to hear what was being said. Mitra had to visit an audiologist who examined her hearing and came to the conclusion that Mitra has a hearing impairment and needs hearing aids. Thanks to her hearing aids, Mitra can better keep up with the lessons, especially if she is sitting in the front row of the classroom.
When Mitra first started wearing hearing aids, she received many questions from her classmates, now she knows why she has them and has stopped asking. There are some children at school who tease her for their hearing aids, but she has learned from her father not to care for them.
Mitra hears almost nothing in one ear and a little in the other, she has learned to read on the teacher's lips when she does not hear, but during the corona pandemic, the teacher has had to use a mask, which has made it more difficult for Mitra. Her parents are both deaf and have taught her sign language which makes it much easier to communicate. Mitra wants her to have access to teaching in sign language and has even taught some characters to her teacher.
-It would be good if my classmates and my teacher knew sign language so that we can always communicate, says Mitra.
Although the teacher does not know sign language yet, Mitra is happy that the teacher always makes sure that she understands and has heard everything, it makes her feel included in the teaching.
Mitra has an active leisure time and goes to both dance and karate. She has no problem telling if she does not hear what is being said about her activities. Mitra will soon have a little sister who she looks forward to being accompanied by in everything she does.
Mitra is determined to succeed in school. She wants to become a doctor to help those who are ill.
-To achieve my doctoral dream, I know that I have to be stubborn, diligent and study a lot, says Mitra.
Facts
There are over 160 different sign languages in the world, and for many hearing and deaf people, sign language is their mother tongue. Despite this, deaf and hard of hearing children are not taught in sign language, although research shows that children learn better and faster when they are taught in the language they know best. In order for all children to receive an inclusive education that is adapted to their needs, it is required that deaf and hard of hearing children are offered instruction in sign language.
