Question : SPECIAL TEACHERS FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS

(a) whether the Government proposes to appoint special teachers to teach physically challenged students in schools in the light of Delhi High Court direction; and

(b) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this direction?

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

(a) & (b): Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Inclusive Education for the Disabled at the Secondary Stage(IEDSS)”, there is provision for special teachers at the secondary level to take care of the children with disabilities. These teachers are appointed by the concerned State Governments. Also, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Sarva Shikha Abhiyan (SSA)”, there is provision for special teachers to impart inclusive education.

Under the “Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme” of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, grant-in-aid is provided to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the welfare of persons with disabilities for special schools, pre-schools and early intervention centres and vocational training centres, meant for children with disability. Appointment of special teachers is an essential pre-requisite for release of grant-in-aid.

In pursuance to the direction dated 19-02-2009 of the High Court of Delhi in W.P.(C) No.6771/2008, a Monitoring Committee has been constituted by Government of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi to supervise, monitor and ensure implementation of short term and long term measures for children with special needs (CWSN). A programme of specialized training of general teachers through Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and NGOs working in the field has also been prepared by the Government of NCT of Delhi, and one general teacher from each school is trained. The Government of NCT of Delhi has approved creation of 926 posts of special education teachers in Delhi at the rate of one post per school.