News

Volume 3 Issue 22 - November 15, 2005

H.R.D. Ministry to hold National Consultation on National Action Plan on Inclusive Education

D.N.I.S. News Network - In a significant move, the Ministry of Human Resource Development will host a National Consultation on 30 November, 2005, to finalise a National Action Plan on Inclusive Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities on the basis of the feedback gathered from Non Governmental Organisations, professionals and stakeholders in the field of disability and education..

On March 21, 2005, Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Arjun Singh had tabled in Rajya Sabha an 'Action Plan on Inclusive Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities'. This was hugely welcomed by the disability sector as a mark of a clear paradigm shift by the Government of India. It has also become the basic framework around which deliberations and debates are being carried out.

The draft action plan had been placed for public consultation and a process of interdepartmental consultations was started by the Ministry. The proposed National Consultation, being convened in collaboration with N.I.E.P.A., will bring together as participants as many as 35 representatives from the Government Departments, N.G.O.s, professionals from academic bodies and universities and other stakeholders to brainstorm on issues related to inclusive education for finalisation of the National Plan.

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People has been in the forefront in seeking regional and national consensus on the Action Plan by bringing together stakeholders, professionals and activists together. For this it has organised three Zonal Consultation, in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, and it plans to hold a national meet in the National Capital.