Lok Sabha Question No. 826 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Education for Differently Abled Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER, OM BIRLA, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, CHINTAMANI MALVIYA, BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 826 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## Education for Differently Abled Students

## †826.   SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

SHRI OM BIRLA:

SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA:

DR. BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL:

DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to bring out any facilitative changes for the differently abled students in the New Education Policy and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to make all education institutions friendly for the differently abled and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  percentage  of  schools  which  already  have  facilities  for  differently  abled  students  like ramps, etc.;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  intends  to  tie  up  with  foreign  countries  to  devise  new  education technology for the differently abled; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  keep  differently  abled  students  out  of  the  purview  of Copyright Act of books and if so, the details thereof along with the benefits for such people?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a) The Government is in the process of formulating a New Education Policy (NEP), for which it carried  out  nearly  a  year-long  highly  participative,  inclusive  and  multi-pronged  consultation process, through online, grassroots and thematic expert consultations across 33 identified themes. One of the themes for discussion in NEP was 'Enabling Inclusive Education- Education of Girls, SCs, STs, Minorities and Children with Special Needs.' Based on the Report of the Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy, 'Some Inputs for the Draft National Education Policy, 2016'  were  formulated  wherein  it  has  been  stated  that  special  interventions  will  be  undertaken  to meet the educational needs of differently-abled children and children with learning disabilities who are facing multiple problems of social neglect, absence of support systems in the home, inadequate and lack of appropriate facilities and assistive devices, particularly in schools located in smaller towns and villages.  Further,  it  has  been  stated  that  the  ongoing  centrally  sponsored  schemes  for  children  with special needs will continue and their coverage and funding will be augmented. A suitable mechanism will  be  developed  at  the  State  and  district  levels  for  oversight  of  the  implementation  of  various schemes as well as identifying and providing for children with special needs. Moreover, at the local level,  a  part-time  sub-committee  of  experts  comprising  of  child  and  clinical  psychologists  will  be constituted  so  that  any  school  or  District  Education  Officer  could  refer  cases  where  a  third-party assessment or advice is needed. This sub-committee can also advise on special training/orientation of teachers for sensitive and appropriate handling of children with special needs. It has also been stated therein that there will be dedicated funds for R&D to strengthen disability studies in higher education. Social and research audit of disability access for infrastructure, academic access and performance will be  undertaken.  Further,  comments/suggestions  were  invited  from  the  Government  of  India Ministries, State Government, Hon'ble Members of Parliament and other stakeholders up to 30th September, 2016. An 'Education Dialogue' was also organized with the Hon'ble MPs to discuss the  suggestions  and  to  elicit  their  views.  A  Committee  under  an  eminent  educationist  will  be appointed to prepare final draft NEP.

(b) & (c) The UGC has issued a letter to universities to ensure the barrier free access to all places and Braille books talking books & sign language interpreters, etc. in 2008 and 2014. The UGC has issued a letter to universities regarding implementation of the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order dated 26.03.2014 to implement the provision of persons with disabilities Act, 1995. As per  Unified  District  Information  System  for  Education  (U-DISE)  Statistics  2015-16,  75.12% secondary  and  75.54%  higher  secondary  schools  have  facilities  of  ramps  for  differently-abled students. As per U-DISE Statistics 2015-16, around 83% of elementary schools across the country have  similar  facilities  for  differently-abled  students.  As  per  the  RTE  Act  2009,  the  State  and Central Government are taking initiatives for making all educational institutions friendly for the differently-abled.  The NCERT had conducted Eighth All India School Education Survey (AISES) with reference date of 30.9.2009. As per the Eighth AISES, out of the total schools in the country, 10.47% have  Handrails,  43.62%  have  Ramps,  3.81%  have  adapted  laboratory  and  7.64%  have adapted lavatory.

(d) & (e) The information is being collected.

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