The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to formulate a policy for education of children with special needs at its schools across the country.
It has recently constituted a committee, assigning the task to it. According to the terms and reference of the panel, it will not only formulate a policy for the education of children with special needs but also frame comprehensive guidelines for the education of the "slow learners."
The committee has also been mandated to suggest reforms in the current examination system to ensure that all children with special needs get an education with other children in an inclusive classroom environment without facing any discrimination or bias.
Children with special needs continue to face various problems in getting an education with other children in regular schools despite clear provisions made in the Right to Education Act Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, notified in April this this year, also provides for free education to persons with disability till he or she attains the age of 18.
It mandates for "suitable modifications" in the curriculum and examination system to meet the needs of the students with disabilities such as giving extra time for completion of their examination paper, facility of scribe or amanuensis and exemption from second and third language courses.
"The committee set up to formulate the policy will look into all aspects, including the provisions for education of such children in the RTE Act and the RPwD Act. Schools and other stakeholders have been invited to give suggestions," an official said.
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