Background and Rationale:
The 86th amendment of the Constitution of India has made education a fundamental right for children in the 6-14 years age group thereby making it mandatory for the state to ensure that all the children are brought under the fold of education. This includes children with special needs also.
The basic policy framework for education, emphasis on correcting the existing inequalities. It stresses on reducing dropout rates, improving learning achievements and expanding access to students who have not had an easy opportunity to be a part of the general system. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) envisages an inclusive and structural change in the educational system. It focuses on ‘Equitable and Inclusive Education' which reverberates the idea that no child should be left behind. Some measures for integrating children with special needs with their peers as equal partners, preparing them for their normal growth and development and enabling them to face life with courage and confidence.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for the Differently abled Children was introduced in 1992 with a view to provide sufficient opportunities to children with special needs in general schools and facilitate their retention in the school system. Creating barrier free environment in schools, children with severe and profound disabilities are being provided Transport and escort allowance. Children with Visual Impairment and Low vision are provided Reader Allowance to avail the support of a reader and Girls are provided stipend. Eligible students are provided Aids and Appliances as per the assessment and recommendations in the medical camps organised at Block level. Special teachers` facility is also provided to CwSN under Inclusive Education.
The Integrated Scheme on School Education aims to look at education of all children including children with Special Needs (CWSN) in a continuum from pre nursery to class XII. The scheme will cover all children with special needs with one or more disabilities as mentioned in the schedule of disabilities of the Right of the Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 studying in Government, Government- aided and local body schools.
Beginning of IE in Karnataka
Karnataka has a long history of mainstreaming children with special needs through IEDC scheme (centrally sponsored scheme) and a number of projects of UN agencies have been pilot tested here. As per specific proposal Rs.3500/- per child is provided for inclusion of children with special needs,. Districts formulate plans for children with special needs within the norm. The interventions under Samagra Shikshana Karnataka for Inclusive education are identification, functional and formal assessment, appropriate educational preparation of individualized education plan, provision of aids and appliances, teachers training, resource support and removal of architectural barriers. In the year 2024-25, a total of 62521 CWSN in Elementary and 18986 CWSN in Secondary were identified as children with special needs in the State.
Development of Training Materials and Training for Master
Resource Person: Training Modules are prepared with the help of Experts in the field, NGOs and Professionals. Master Resource persons are trained, they further train Special Educators regarding curriculum adaptation and types of disabilities under RPWD Act 2016 to enable them to understand the needs of the children with special needs and handle them efficiently and engage them in interactive learning to achieve the specified age/capacity appropriate learning outcomes.
Medical Assessment and Measurement Camps:
Formal and Functional Assessments are done by a team of competent doctors to determine the type, nature, extent of challenge (disability) and decide on the Aids and Appliance required. Along with SSK, the team of experts from the department of health and Family Welfare, ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing corporation of India) and many organisations and NGOs get involved in the process. Medical camps are conducted in all the 204 Education Blocks of the state. The needy students are provided the Aids and Appliances.
Sports and Exposure Visit:
A committee formed at Block level with BEO as the head, will plan the activities for the Block. Exposure visit is organised for CWSN, through visit to places of Historical or Scientific importance, exposure to local art/craft forms, visit to Community rehabilitation centres/skill centres etc. Lectures and Demos are also organised on different skills and events on this occasion. Various Sports activities are also organised.
World Disabled Day :
World Disabled day is celebrated on 03rd December at School, Block and District level with the objective of understanding the issues of the CWSN, enhancing their self-esteem, protecting their rights and working for their welfare. Creating awareness among the public on providing equal opportunities and encouraging the CWSN is also part of the event.
Quality Education for Children with Special Needs:
We aim to provide support to all schools, to prepare a systematic approach towards the inclusion of CWSN. This surely is not only the duty of the teachers but of every member of the school community, including supporting staff, SDMC and peers. Respecting the diverse needs of the children we stress upon adapting different styles of teaching and provide quality education with appropriate use of resources in and around the schools. The centres are also provided the services of Aaya/Helper. To make all classrooms and transactions inclusive, it is necessary to create awareness and sensitize teachers about the importance of inclusive education. Teachers are trained in online mode on engaging Inclusive classroom. Special teachers working at Block level are also supporting the teachers on filling the learning gaps by adopting various methods of teaching-learning processes.
Block Resource Centres:
Block Resource centres, also called School Readiness Centres are established in all 204 Educational blocks of the state. These centres are equipped with Therapeutic materials to help children with severe and profound disabilities. These centres also have learning materials to support students with learning disabilities. Qualified Therapists provide therapy services to the needy children at the centres. All 204 SRP Centres have been given services of Aya/Helper/Attendant to help the therapist and special teachers, when CWSN children are at School readiness centres. BIERTs (Block Inclusive Education Resource Teachers) are also helping in physiotherapy process and learning activities for these children using the learning materials provided to these centres. Transport and Escort allowance is provided to deserving students to reach the Resource centres.
Learning Stations:
On pilot mode Learning stations are established with objective of supporting children with learning disability and specific learning disabilities in 10 Higher Primary schools in Bengaluru Rural, Tumakur, Madhugiri, Ramanagara, Kolar, Mysore, Chamarajanagar districts in the state in collaboration with UNICEF. The centres are equipped with Desktop, Alexa device, Tabs and Internet. Children are engaged in learning activities, supplementing the learning in regular class.
Target Group:
The scheme covers all children from elementary to senior secondary stage studying in Government, Government-aided and local body schools, with one or more disabilities as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Approved Allocation during 2024-25
|
Sl.No
|
Activity
|
Amount in Rs
|
|
|
1.
|
Sports & Exposure visit
|
1,75,000/-
|
District level
|
|
2.
|
Therapeutic services
|
12,000/ month
6,000/Month
|
204 SRC
|
|
3.
|
Escort Allowance
|
300/- Month
|
For 10 Months
|
|
4
|
Transport Allowance
|
350/- Month
|
For 10 Months
|
|
5
|
Providing Aids & Appliances
|
2500/student
|
Eligible
students
|
|
6
|
Reader Allowance
|
200/- Month
|
For 10 Months
|
|
7
|
Stipend for Girls
|
350/- Month
|
For 10 Months
|
|
8
|
Identification & Assessment Camp
|
10,000/camp
|
Block level
|
|
9
|
In-Service Training of Special
Educators
|
@5000/teacher
|
State level
|
|
10
|
Financial Support to SpecialEducators
|
Class 6-8:20,000/-Month
Class 9-12:25,000/-Month
|
For 12 Months
|
Source of reference:
- RPWD Act, 2016 New Delhi, the 28th December, 2016.
- Karnataka State Gazet, Bangalore, Date: 11.11.2021.
- RCI Act 1992 [1st September, 1992.]
- PAB aproved No.F.NO.F No.3-1/2024-IS.6 From GOI-MOE Date:09.02.2024
(AWP&B for 2024-25)
