Question : INTEGRATED EDUCATION FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

(a) whether the Government has replaced the `Integrated Education for Disabled Children` (IEDC) scheme;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the new scheme Inclusive Education for the Disabled at the Secondary Stage (IEDSS) covers only the age group of 14-16 and not the age group of 6-18, which was the coverage area of IEDC; and

(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the manner in which the interest of those physically challenged children who remained uncovered will be served under the new scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D.PURANDESWARI)

(a) to (d) Yes Sir, The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) covering disabled children from the age group of 6-18 years has been replaced with a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) and is being implemented from the year 2009-10. The Scheme `Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan` covers the disabled .children at the elementary level (6-14 years). The new Scheme `IEDSS` is meant to enable the disabled children to complete four years of secondary schooling (classes IX to XII) in an inclusive and enabling environment.