(a) whether the Government aims at imparting quality education and reducing inequality which is in line with the sustainable development goals;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the estimated number of visually impaired persons in the country as on date; and
(c) the details of fund provision made and utilized for providing infrastructure facilities and the achievement made so far in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
(a) and (b) The Government has undertaken several measures to provide quality education to all, including students with visual impairment. The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and Uchatar Shiksha Abhiyan of the Ministry of Education have provisions for inclusive education which reduce inequalities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The New Education Policy, 2020 contains provisions for providing quality education. Further, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates the Government to foster inclusive education
As per Census 2011, there are 50,33,431 persons with visually impairment in the country.
(c) Under the component ‘Barrier Free Environment’, of the ‘Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act’ (SIPDA), of the Ministry, funds are released for making existing Government buildings, including educational institutions, accessible across the country, through construction of lifts, ramps, railing, accessible toilets, tactile floors and accessible websites. Since 2017-18, an amount of Rs.43.86 crore has been released for providing accessible infrastructure facilities in 645 buildings including educational institutions.
Further, the Department of School Education & Literacy has informed that under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, accessible infrastructural facilities (Ramps with Handrails) have been provided for children with special needs in all Government aided schools across the country. Presently about 8.33 lakhs Government and Government aided schools have barrier free facilities (ramps and handrails).
****