Education refers to the discipline that is concerned with methods of teaching and learning in schools or school-like environments, as opposed to various non-formal and informal means of socialization. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam says, “Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge and knowledge makes you great.”
Education aims at all round growth of the child which enhances his/ her ability for creativity, thinking, knowledge and contribute to the shaping of one’s future. Education plays very important role in shaping the future of a child. Thus the quality of education is a must for the student which helps them to contribute meaningfully to society.
In the past the education of the differently- abled was less emphasized not only by parents but also by governments. In recent years we have seen tremendous emphasis on their all-round growth for shaping their future and making them contributing members of the Society. Thus today we have NGOs, Institutions, Special Schools and Schools that offer opportunities for differently-abled to learn and receive education. As we today live in the era of rapid technological advancement, Ministry of Human Resource Development introduced the New Education Policy 2020 with the objective of holistic productivity, contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive and pluralistic society. NEP 2020 has brought about a structural change in the education system which aims to make India the global knowledge superpower ensuring equity and inclusion.
NEP 2020 has brought about a structural change in the education system which aims to make India the global knowledge superpower ensuring equity and inclusion.I would like to present some of the provisions of NEP, 2020 which promotes better education for students with disabilities:
Skills on how to teach children with specific disabilities have been included in all teacher education programs.
Neighborhood schools, special schools, and home-based education- as options for the education of children with disabilities, as a step towards resolving doubts towards school choices which arose during the Right to Education Act, 2009, 2012 amendment of the RTE Act and The RPwD Act, 2016.
To ensure the availability of adequate resources for students with disabilities including resource centers and educators, schools within a radius of 5-10 km will be consolidated within one school complex, thus providing them barrier free access to education to all children with disabilities.
Setting up of a National Assessment Centre, PARAKH, which will ensure accessible assessment guidelines for children with learning disabilities making education more inclusive.
NEP, 2020 has introduced short-term specialization courses to teach children with disabilities with the existing framework.
A flexible curriculum will be enacted according to NEP 2020. Curricular changes will be made in consultation with national institutes under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Fr subhodh