1.32L differently abled kids to get mainstream edu

CHENNAI: To provide education to all differently abled children, the Tamil Nadu government has identified 1.32 lakh children who would be initiated into the inclusive education scheme.

As per the scheme, State Project Office of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) or “Anaivarukkum Kalvi Thittam” is set to empower Children with Special Needs (CWSN) through inclusive education in the State. A senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next that 1,32,314 CWSN were identified and out of these, 1,24,011 will be enrolled in nearby schools and the rest will be home schooled.

He also said that the government has earmarked Rs 54.87 crore for the inclusive education scheme to purchase aids and appliances, allocating escort allowance, procurement of braille books and among others.

Stating that SSA is working on its objective of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) under RTE by inclusion of children with special needs and mainstreaming them into primary education on the principles of ‘Zero Rejection Policy’, the official said a special training programme will be conducted for special educators who work for CWSN to be enrolled in mainstreamed schools, and so on.

“We will also organise master level training programme where 60 special educators (as master trainers) from all districts will be taught various aspects of inclusive education. They will also be introduced to information communication technology and assistive technology as an educational tool.