MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)
(a) The Government is in the process of formulating a New Education Policy (NEP), for which it
carried out nearly a year-long highly participative, inclusive and multi-pronged consultation
process, through online, grassroots and thematic expert consultations across 33 identified themes.
One of the themes for discussion in NEP was ‘Enabling Inclusive Education- Education of Girls,
SCs, STs, Minorities and Children with Special Needs.’ Based on the Report of the Committee for
Evolution of the New Education Policy, ‘Some Inputs for the Draft National Education Policy,
2016’ were formulated wherein it has been stated that special interventions will be undertaken to
meet the educational needs of differently-abled children and children with learning disabilities who are
facing multiple problems of social neglect, absence of support systems in the home, inadequate and
lack of appropriate facilities and assistive devices, particularly in schools located in smaller towns and
villages. Further, it has been stated that the ongoing centrally sponsored schemes for children with
special needs will continue and their coverage and funding will be augmented. A suitable mechanism
will be developed at the State and district levels for oversight of the implementation of various
schemes as well as identifying and providing for children with special needs. Moreover, at the local
level, a part-time sub-committee of experts comprising of child and clinical psychologists will be
constituted so that any school or District Education Officer could refer cases where a third-party
assessment or advice is needed. This sub-committee can also advise on special training/orientation of
teachers for sensitive and appropriate handling of children with special needs. It has also been stated
therein that there will be dedicated funds for R&D to strengthen disability studies in higher education.
Social and research audit of disability access for infrastructure, academic access and performance will
be undertaken. Further, comments/suggestions were invited from the Government of India
Ministries, State Government, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and other stakeholders up to 30th
September, 2016. An ‘Education Dialogue’ was also organized with the Hon’ble MPs to discuss
the suggestions and to elicit their views. A Committee under an eminent educationist will be
appointed to prepare final draft NEP.
(b) & (c) The UGC has issued a letter to universities to ensure the barrier free access to all places
and Braille books talking books & sign language interpreters, etc. in 2008 and 2014. The UGC has
issued a letter to universities regarding implementation of the direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court
vide order dated 26.03.2014 to implement the provision of persons with disabilities Act, 1995. As
per Unified District Information System for Education (U-DISE) Statistics 2015-16, 75.12%
secondary and 75.54% higher secondary schools have facilities of ramps for differently-abled
students. As per U-DISE Statistics 2015-16, around 83% of elementary schools across the country
have similar facilities for differently-abled students. As per the RTE Act 2009, the State and
Central Government are taking initiatives for making all educational institutions friendly for the
differently-abled. The NCERT had conducted Eighth All India School Education Survey (AISES)
with reference date of 30.9.2009. As per the Eighth AISES, out of the total schools in the country,
10.47% have Handrails, 43.62% have Ramps, 3.81% have adapted laboratory and 7.64% have
adapted lavatory.
(d) & (e) The information is being collected.
**********
Download PDF Files
