On Tuesday, the Delhi Directorate of Education announced plans to deploy rehabilitation para-professionals in the seven special schools it recently assumed control of, in accordance with the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 and National Education Policy 2020.
This decision followed discussions in June during a meeting of the academic committee tasked with devising a transition plan for students from these special schools. The committee addressed issues such as admissions, facilities, curriculum, and other deficiencies in these schools.
During the meeting, committee members unanimously agreed to deploy rehabilitation paraprofessionals, assess children with disabilities, provide counseling for students, parents, and teachers, deploy vocational instructors, offer teaching materials and assistive technology, ensure regular staff training, and organize parental counseling camps for a smooth transition.
Chaired by the director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, the meeting aimed to reconsider and redesign pedagogical approaches for students with disabilities.
In a subsequent meeting in August, the committee finalized individualized school development plans for all seven special schools.
The DoE took over these special schools in April, previously managed by the Department of Social Welfare, GNCT of Delhi, following a high court order prompted by a petition from the National Federation of Blind, citing inadequate amenities for specially-abled children.
The schools under DoE control include the Government Nursery Primary School for Deaf and the School for Mentally Retarded Children in Mayur Vihar, the Senior Secondary School for Blind Boys in Kingsway Camp, the Middle School For The Deaf in Rohini Sector 4, the Lady Noyce Nursery Primary School For The Deaf in Nehru Vihar and Delhi Gate, and the Government Senior Secondary School For The Deaf in Kalkaji.
Source: PTI
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