For imparting inclusive education among the visually challenged kids and significantly utilizing the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) signed an MoU with Sightsavers on Monday. The ICT based inclusive education programme will help the visually impaired kids to continue their education through several new media application modes.
Identification of visually challenged kids, establishment of Braille press, training of resource personnel, providing essential gadgets to the visually challenged kids are some essential facets that will be addressed by Sightsavers, an international non-governmental organisation that works with partners to treat and prevent avoidable blindness and promote equality for people with visual impairments and other disabilities in the State.
Resource personnel present on the occasion laid stress upon the organization’s strategy and vision of inclusive education for imparting quality education among the target group. Resource persons also laid emphasis on understanding inclusive education, role of ICT and accessible technologies in improving the learning outcome among children with visual impairment.
With the motive to curb the dropout rates at earliest and to cover all kids falling in the age group six to 14 years, the council is also planning to set up Braille press at Ranchi and Dumka in collaboration with the Sightsavers soon. On the occasion PC tablets, Braille kits, DG players were distributed among the visually impaired kids to motivate them to continue their studies by using the power and reach of ITC.
“The MoU will upgrade the standard of education imparted to the visually challenged kids in State. Soon, training of resource personnel will be conducted as well at different districts,” said, JEPC Director, Mukesh Kumar.
The council is gearing up to sign another MoU with Chhattisgarh based NGO, Sampark Foundation as well. The NGO will distribute resource material kits among the deprived children at all the 24 districts block headquarters under the ongoing ‘PANKH’ (Padhna Ab Nahin Kathin Hai) scheme.
Besides, 150 meritorious students studying at government schools will soon get the opportunity and will travel to the designated place on plane for an educational trip. Similarly, in the days to come, the council will also collaborate with Radio groups for reaching kids residing in rural pockets across the State to impart knowledge based programme series through, edutainment (education and entertainment) medium.
“The radio programme planning is at preliminary stage. If all goes well, the programme will be broadcas with the title series ‘Shiksha Ki Baat’ focusing on different knowledge based activities. Starting with CM, Raghubar Das address, the programme series will have speakers from different sections of the society,” Kumar added.