4,157 special children to get inclusive education in DK

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has sanctioned Rs 62.85 lakh to the district to provide inclusive education to children with special needs (CWSN).

Around 4,157 special children from the district will benefit this year. There are around 20 programmes, which will be implemented in a 50:50 association with non-governmental organisations, using the grants released by the government. In the first round, children have been selected through assessment in medical camps at block education officer-level. Hearing aids and appliances like tricycles, wheelchairs, crutches and Braille books will be distributed to the children soon after the release of funds.

Multiple disabilities
Special attention will be given to children with multiple disabilities. Home-based education (HBE) kits will be given to such children, who will get education at home itself. If the children are suffering from problems like cerebral palsy, CP beds will be provided. Seven types of training will be given to teachers of CWSN – including five to 10 days of residential training – where three days of training will be on multiple disabilities. A training of five days on multiple disabilities will be given even to resource persons.

Under the training programme, the special teachers are taught about tackling multiple problems of the children like cerebral palsy and autism, with sign language. Most of the times, teachers teach children about performing their day-to-day work. There are two special teachers for each block and they will teach a child twice a week, and then train the parents on managing children with multiple disabilities. There is also facility to provide corrective surgery to the children.

Physiotherapy
“There are seven inclusive education resource centres in the district. transport and escort facilities are being provided to children who study at such centres.

Physiotherapy is already being provided to the needy in every block. In Mangaluru North block, physiotherapy is being provided on a day-to-day activities to CWSN in association with Fr Muller’s Hospital, from Tuesday to Friday,” said an official, in conversation with the Deccan Herald correspondent.

Environmental study and celebration of International day of persons with physical disabilities are also a part of inclusive education programme on December 3.