News

Volume 2 Issue 22 - November 15, 2004

CBSE to make inclusive education a reality

DNIS News Network - The CBSE has asked all schools to make buildings and educational infrastructure accessible for disabled students.

In a landmark development, the Central government has told the Delhi High Court that it is taking all steps necessary to ensure the education of disabled children. A notification to this effect was also issued on November 4.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all schools to make arrangements as are necessary to make the promise of inclusive education a reality for all children.

The Central government has also said that steps to make education accessible would be decided in conjunction with parents/guardians, and with organisations engaged in similar efforts. Experts will also be consulted.

All schools have been asked to strengthen transport and infrastructure facilities. For instance, wheelchairs would be made available for disabled students, and ramps have to be built. Uniforms, Braille books, Talking Books, maths and science kits, computer hardware, textbooks, etc, will be distributed free of cost. Disabled students will also be given scholarships.

Arrangements made during examinations will keep the needs of disabled students in mind. Special question papers will be prepared as necessary, and disabled students will be given an extra hour for turning in their answer books. Writers will also be provided. All exams will now be held on the ground floor.

The Centre gave these directions in response to a Public Interest Litigation submitted by Social Jurist before the High Court. The Court has now disposed of the matter. Lawyer Ashok Agarwal had submitted that in spite of the Disability Law, students with disabilities were not getting the benefits earmarked for them. This, he had said, should be redressed by the government.