JOIN USThe programme will be implemented with help of SHGs and active volunteers in a particular region.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana has chalked out a series of programmes to bring children with special needs (CWSN) to the mainstream of the society through inclusive education. The State government has issued guidelines for the inclusive education of these children.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana Project Coordinator Shivaprakash said that the programme will commence from this month itself. Special emphasis will be given to children with special needs with the help of self help group members, active volunteers in a particular region. The local hospitals will extend their support for providing physiotherapy to the needy. The services of Yenepoya Hospital, Srinivas Medical College, KVG Medical College, Sullia, and Chetana institute will be availed.
The SSA will also conduct a survey of the children with special needs to include those kids who have not been identified in the previous survey. All efforts will be made to bring such kids to the mainstream of the society. The guidelines said that those kids who were undergoing home-based education for more than two years will remain at home if no efforts are made to take to the portal of the school. Hence, to provide them with school atmosphere, it has been planned to take them to school readiness programme centres atleast two days in a week.
Assessment and measurement camp will be conducted for specially abled children in the district. Each education block will be given Rs 30,000 to conduct the camp.
Another camp for deaf and blind children will be conducted at the district-level.
The circular said that to bring the CWSN to mainstream of the society and to help parents and children, Samanvaya Shikshana Sampanmoola Kendra (Inclusive education resource centre) has been opened in every block. The circular has said that from this academic year, a teacher with BEd in sign language and Braille should be deputed to the Centre.
The government has also decided to help those needy kids to undergo corrective surgery. Each child will be given Rs 8,000 for the surgery.
According to the government circular, for home based education of 7,703 children with special needs identified in the State, a sum of Rs 946.68 lakh has been sanctioned. Only 1,127 volunteers should be appointed to teach these kids.
Till last year, the education qualification of these volunteers was SSLC. However, this year the government has said that the volunteers should have mandatorily passed multi care teachers training courses (MCTT). For each child, the government will pay Rs 12,290 as honorarium for the volunteer. If the authorities are unable to get volunteers with MCTT course, then those who have passed graduation can be appointed.
The circular said that the volunteers should teach them to read and write as well along with basic needs.
Nature camps will be organised for the CWSN studying in sixth, seventh and eighth standard. Each child will be paid Rs 500 for the camp.
Dakshina Kannada district has 5,055 children with special needs. Home based education is imparted to 401 kids.