On July 29, 2024, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, announced significant advancements in accessibility and inclusivity for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) through the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. This comprehensive initiative aims to address educational needs from pre-school through to Class XII, covering all disabilities as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Key Features of Samagra Shiksha Scheme
The Samagra Shiksha Scheme includes a dedicated component for Inclusive Education, which provides a range of support services for CwSN. These services include:
- Identification and Assessment Camps: To evaluate and identify specific needs.
- Provision of Aids and Appliances: Including assistive devices, Braille and large print books.
- Financial Support: Stipends for girls with special needs and allowances for scribe and escort services.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Individualized support at the block level.
Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvements
Samagra Shiksha also focuses on creating barrier-free educational environments. This includes the construction of ramps, ramps with handrails, and differently-abled friendly toilets to ensure accessibility in schools.
New Accessibility Code and Amendments
On January 10, 2024, the government notified the Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions, which addresses both physical and information barriers for CwSN. This Code provides standards for modifying existing buildings and designing new ones to meet national accessibility requirements. Additionally, the Schedule to the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 has been amended to include a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) for Special Education Teachers: 10:1 at the primary level and 15:1 at the upper primary level.
Educational Exemptions and Concessions
The government has also introduced several exemptions and concessions for CwSN, including:
- Scribe and Compensatory Time: For students needing additional assistance during exams.
- Flexible Subject Choices: Such as exemption from third language requirements and alternate questions.
Digital Learning Resources
To support learners with disabilities, educational materials are available in accessible digital formats. Initiatives include:
- Talking Books: In DAISY/e-Pub formats for learners with blindness and low vision.
- Indian Sign Language (ISL): Offered as a language subject at the secondary level by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), with study materials developed in ISL format. A one-hour live telecast in ISL is broadcast three times a week on the PM e-Vidya TV Channel.
NCERT Initiatives and Technology Integration
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is conducting a live interaction series titled “Teaching Learning Interventions for Inclusive Classrooms,” which focuses on inclusive pedagogy practices. NCERT textbooks are being converted into ISL, and a comprehensive ISL dictionary has been uploaded to the DIKSHA portal.
Early Screening and Teacher Training
The government has introduced the Prashast App for early screening and identification of CwSN in regular schools. Additionally, teacher capacity-building programs under NISHTHA are being conducted in hybrid mode to better equip general teachers to meet the learning needs of CwSN.