(a) whether under the Right to Education Act there is provision for admission of disabled children in schools;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of such children admitted in schools particularly in the State of Bihar;
(d) whether such students are facing difficulties as there is no special educator;
(e) if so, the requirement of such educators in the country, State-wise; and
(f) the time by which such teachers will be appointed?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Section 3 of the Right of children to
Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act provides that: -
(i) Every child of the age of six to fourteen years shall have a right to free and
compulsory education in a neighborhood school till completion of elementary education.
(ii) For the purpose of sub-section (I), no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee
or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing the
elementary education.
Provided that a child suffering from disability, as defined in clause
(i) of section 2 of the Persons
with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection and Full Participation) Act, 1996, shall have the
right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
V of the said Act.
(c): 26.46 lakh children with special needs (CWSN) have been enrolled in school
with the support provided under SSA. In Bihar, 2,56,784 CWSN have been enrolled.
(d), (e) & (f): Under SSA, 18029 special educators have been approved for appointment
as on 31.3.2011. In the year 2011-12, an additional 11973 special educators have been
sanctioned to the States to provide support to CWSN. State- wise details are given in
Annexure.