(a) the details of different aspects under the Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs programme;
(b) the number of beneficiaries and the achievements of the programme since its inception, State-wise; and
(c) whether the Government conducts training for teachers and instructors to sensitise them to the needs of children with special needs and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)
(a)The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha launched in 2018-19, has dedicated Inclusive Education component for the education of Children with Special Needs (CwSN). It aims to look at education of CwSN in a continuum from Pre-Nursery to Class XII. The scheme covers all children with special needs with one or more disabilities as mentioned in the schedule of disabilities of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 studying in Government, Government-aided and local body schools. The objectives of Inclusive Education (IE) under Samagra Shiksha are as under:
•To enable all children and young persons with disabilities to have access to inclusive education and improve their enrolment, retention and achievement in the general education system.
•Identification of children with disabilities at the school level and assessment of her/his educational needs.
•Provision of aids and appliance and assistive devices, to the children with special needs as per requirement.
•Removal of architectural barriers in schools so that students with disability have access to classrooms, laboratories, libraries and toilets in the school.
•Supplying appropriate teaching learning materials, medical facilities, vocational training support, guidance and counselling services and therapeutic services to children with special needs as per their requirement in convergence with line departments.
•General school teachers will be sensitized and trained to teach and involve children with special needs in the general classroom. For existing special educators, capacity building programmes will be undertaken.
• CWSN will have access to support services through special educators, establishment of resource rooms, vocational education, therapeutic services and counselling.
(b) The total enrolment of CWSN in Government and Government Aided Schools covered under IE component in the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 are 2111497 and 2249127 respectively. The statement indicating State/ UT-wise details of total enrolment of CWSN in Government and Government Aided Schools in the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 is at Annexure I.
A statement indicating the activity wise funds allocated under IE component of Samagra Shiksha for the year 2018-19 and 2019-20, as per Prabandh Portal is at Annexure II.
(c) Yes Sir. Through “NISHTHA” (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement), teachers have been imparted training on Inclusive Education module, an integral part of NISHTHA training. The statement indicating State/ UT-wise details of teachers who have been imparted training on Inclusive Education module in the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 is at Annexure III.
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