Question : Training Institutes for Teachers of Mentally Retarded Students

(a) the number of training institutes functioning in the country for providing training to teachers for the mentally retarded students, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has signed any agreement with national and international organization in this field and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any fund has been allocated/released by the Government to these institutes during each of the last three years and the current year; and

(d) if so, details thereof, State-wise including Rajasthan and Delhi?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) There are 286 training institutes approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India in the country for providing training to teachers for the mentally retarded students. State/UT wise list is at Annexure-I

(b) Rehabilitation Council of India has signed an MoU with the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) on 08.04.2015 for a period of five years with the following aims and objectives:

(i) Revision of minimum standards for offering teacher education preparation programmes with disability specific specialization in view of NCTE Regulations, 2014 and RCI norms and regulations as may be applicable.

(ii) Developing/Revision course curriculum on special education/inclusive education for (a) ensuring inclusion in general teacher education programmes; (b) preparing special educators to support inclusive education practices; and (c) serve children who may need special schools. To achieve this, both will have members as representative of NCTE and RCI in curriculum development exercises.

(iii) Offering Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) and Continuing Professional Development Programmes for special education and general education teachers.

(iv) Undertaking research studies for the promotion of inclusive education following Universal Design for Learning whether applicable.

(c) to (d) Under North East Component Plan, financial assistance for Rs. 13.47 lakhs during 2015-16 & Rs. 13.53 lakhs during 2016-17 has been given by RCI to All Manipur Mentally Handicapped Person’s Welfare Organization for Diploma in Education Special Education (MR) and financial assistance for Rs. 5.11 lakhs during the year 2016-17 has been given by RCI to Shishu Sarothi, Guwahati for running Diploma in Education Special Education (Cerebral Palsy).

In addition to above, under Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), Grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for running various projects for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including Diploma Courses in Special Education/Manpower Development projects for benefit of MR Children. The Grants-in-aid released to Special Education Centres under DDRS scheme during each of the last three years and current year are as under:-

S.No. Name of the NGOs GIA released (in Rs.)
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
1 Rastriya Seva Samithi, Andhra Pradesh 217924 62250 457200 0
2 Thakur Hari Prasad Institute of Research and Rehab. For MH, Andhra Pradesh 347550 260662 252638 0
3 Vimla Mahila Samajam, Kerala 221790 0 0 0
4 Institute of Advance Studies & Research in Rehabilitation, Uttar Pradesh 843818 356400 0 0
5 Society for Mental Health Care, West Bengal 572958 0 268425 216005

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