The Modi Government is keen on setting up at least one model inclusive education school on pilot basis in each district/block in the country.
The Department of School Education and literacy, under Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, will soon organise a national consultation on inclusive education to work out the modalities for setting up inclusive education schools at the district/block level, a senior official told The Pioneer.
A decision in this regard was taken last week in a meeting by the newly constituted Central Advisory Board on the Disability (CABD), a highest policy recommending body in the disability sector in the country which is headed by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thawar Chand Ghelot.
The philosophy behind inclusive education is to promote opportunities for all children to participate, learn and have equal treatment, irrespective of their mental or physical abilities. However, it has been often observed that children with disabilities are deprived of the education as either they are studying in the special schools or are excluded by the normal schools
In light of these facts, it has been advised to all the States to set up at least one inclusive school in every district which can be a role model for others to follow, the official said.
In fact, various studies world across have shown that children do better academically when in inclusive settings and Inclusion provides opportunities to develop relationships. Some of the benefits include: friendships, social skills, personal principles, comfort level with people who have special needs, and caring classroom environments.
The CABD was set up by the Centre last year in November as per Section 60 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016. Headed by Union Social and Welfare Minister, it has 100 members comprising of secretaries of various Central Ministries/Departments, Ministers from the States/UTs, directors of national institutes and 18 nominated members representing experts, NGOs/PwDs and commerce and industry.
During the meeting, the States were also sensitized about the new Act which had come into force December 2016. Besides issues relating to inclusive education, implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Accessible India Campaign, implementation of UDID project, strengthening of office of State Commissioners and issues arising out of various orders of Supreme Court were also discussed.
The States and the UTs have been directed to notify the rules under the RPwD Act, 2016 by March, 2018 and also appoint all the requisite authorities to ensure its implementation in the right earnest, the official added.