Punjab education board frames policies in favour of disabled kids

In some good news for disabled students in Punjab, the Chandigarh Union Territory has framed a policy to provide education to disabled students in the state. According to this new policy, students will be provided with certification and access to trained and skilled teachers Schools that empower disabled children will be provided with special funds as well.

This move has won many hearts across the state and experts say making a police level change will help bring about inclusion in a meaningful way.

The government bodies for rehabilitation for persons with special needs in conjunction with school authorities must also devise various checklists that will help the teaching, support and ancillary staff along with parents to understand each disability better. They can use specific methodologies and strategies for better learning outcomes. Also, community involvement for awareness and acceptance of disabled children, financial support from corporate to train teachers from lower income group and helping children with disabilities from financially backward families must be made part of the plan – Nandita Paul, Special Educator

The policy says that class teachers will be given a check list to screen kids for disabilities. The Government Rehabilitation Institute for Intellectual Disabilities in collaboration with school education departments will screen children with disabilities. There will also be a checklist for special educators and counsellors wherein they can suggest educational set ups based on degree and severity of the disability.

“This is indeed a great move and authorities must make sure that children up to class 6 benefit the most out of this. They should have early intervention as well”, says Dr Neelam Sodhi, co-founder, NGO Ashirward.

This must be accompanied with teacher sensitization programs so that the policy can be truly effective.

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