May 31: The Centre’s Samagra Shiksha Scheme will be providing free education and health facilities to over 37000 specially abled children in Kashmir. The scheme has subsumed three schemes of Sarva Shikhsa Abhiyaan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Teacher Education in the state.
Health benefits and all education facilities in school would be provided free of cost to beneficiaries
As per a statement given to The Tribune by the Director of School Education in Kashmir, Muhammad Younis Malik, everything in schools would be provided free of cost to specially abled students in the region in addition to health facilities. The official said that there were 37,419 specially abled students studying in schools in the Valley. “Some students are already being provided with all facilities but under the scheme, all students are to be covered,” the official said.
The Samagra Shiksha Scheme was implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) a year ago. It envisions the school as “a continuum from pre-school, primary, upper primary, secondary to senior secondary levels with a view to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education”.
The scheme has been introduced by the MHRD to encourage education of specially abled children as most of the schools in the state lack facilities for them. Now, ramps are being built for their convenience and they are are being provided assistance by helpers as well. Transport facilities, which were usually not available to normal students, are also being made available. Health needs of specially abled children are being taken care of. Latest facilities like smart classes are also being provided for overall quality education.
Schools are to identify students with disabilities and provide arrange every facility as per their needs
Under the guidelines of the scheme, the schools are to identify the children with disabilities and assess their educational needs. Appropriate teaching-learning material, medical facilities, vocational training and support, guidance and counselling services and therapeutic services to children with special needs are to be provided by the school.
Teachers are also being sensitised and trained to teach and involve children with special needs in general classrooms. Capacity-building programmes will also be organised for existing special education teachers.
