Many wheelchair-bound children can't reach class because schools have stairs, not ramps. Disabled students are also likely to drop out of school, leading to fewer chances of bagging jobs, resulting lifelong financial dependence.
These points came to the fore during the daylong meet on 'RTE-Inclusive Education' organised by Deepshikha, the state nodal agency centre of National Trust, in collaboration with Unicef.
Delegates said that often children with disabilities were denied admission by school authorities who didn't know about the RTE Act, or even if they did, were unwilling to take on the extra onus.
Addressing an audience of parents and voluntary organisations working for the cause of special children, Unicef head (state) Job Zachariah said that lack of awareness among school authorities was crippling.
"The situation in far-flung areas is worse. To spread awareness among teachers in remote villages, discussions should be held on a regular basis in schools. Teachers need to be aware of the urgency to admit special children under RTE Act," he said.
He added that proper planning was also required to ensure the enrolment of special children in private or state-run schools.
Educator Binay Patnayak, working with Unicef, stressed that under the RTE Act, all special children enjoyed equal rights to study.
"We are working with Jharkhand Education Project Council in this area. Parents, NGOs and state departments need to team up to turn the dream of schooling all special children into reality," he said.
He also spoke of an often ignored subject ' that of building disabled-friendly infrastructure.
"We need ramps, toilets, reading and learning materials suited to the needs of special children. That's a big challenge," he said.
State disability commissioner Satish Chandra said under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, every child had the right to go to school.
"We need to provide a conducive environment where special children can exercise their right to go to school and enjoy equal opportunities like the normal children," he said.
Deepshikha director (academics) Alka Nizamie and others also expressed concern for special children and brainstormed on solutions.
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