Question : INTEGRATED EDUCATION FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

(a) whether the Integrated Education for the Disabled (IED) component of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme is adequate to meet all the requirements of children with special needs;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, whether the Government proposes to bring in improvements in the IED component of SSA, especially in view of discontinuation of the scheme of “Integrated Education for the Disabled Children (IEDC)”; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir.

The major interventions under SSA for the education of physically challenged children are identification, functional and formal assessment, appropriate educational placement, preparation of Individualized Educational Plan, provision of aids and appliances, teacher training, appointment of resource teachers, therapists, establishing resource rooms to provide specialized support to children with disabilities, provision of ramps, handrails and disabled friendly toilets.

(c) & (d) The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) has been replaced by the Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) to enable all children who have completed eight years of education to pursue secondary education.

Further, with a view to providing a wide range of support services to children with special needs, the financial norm of Rs. 1200/- per child per annum has been enhanced to Rs. 3000/- per child per annum. The increase in the per child allocation will facilitate enhanced coverage of children with special needs.