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(Dis)Integrated stands Education for Disabled - Lucknow

DESPITE the tall claims of the government, regarding good educational facilities to the students with mental, visual or hearing imparities under the ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’, the ground reality in various districts of the state is quite to the contrary, so reveal itinerant teachers appointed to assist such students.


These teachers, who help ‘students with special needs’ in the Government Primary and Junior High schools, gathered in the state capital on Friday to plan a dharna to draw attention to the various problems being faced by them, including of a permanent status. They informed Express Newsline how Integrated Education for Disabled in the state has failed to achieve its real purpose.
The teachers gathered in the city from various parts of the state, including Kannauj, Barabanki, Hardoi. They pointed out that following pressure from the higher authorities, the ‘students with special needs’, though given admission in the government schools, are never given due attention, because of which most of them stop coming to school.


“The ground reality of the Integrated Education for Disabled is quite different as it has been projected and just one visit to the schools makes it clear that these special students are not getting proper education and attention. We are supposed to assist the regular teachers in teaching these students, but, instead of ensuring continuous attention to such students, teachers call them from their homes only at the time of our visits- either twice or once a week. After around one-a-half-hour of class with us, they are again sent back home,” said Munna Lal Shukla, an itinerant special teacher from Kannauj.

It is to be noted that the itinerant teachers are responsible for 8-10 schools in one block and the selection of these schools is done on the basis of the number of children with a particular disability. These teachers are appointed for the Integrated Education for Disabled programme under the ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’. The term of around 1,116 such teachers in the state will come to an end on May 31, but most of these teachers feel that they have been misused by the department, as the purpose for which they were appointed could not be achieved.

Sharing problems faced by them, they informed that irrespective of the fact that each one specialises in teaching students of a particular disability, they are expected to teach and monitor students of various disabilities. “I took specialisation in techniques to teach hearing-impaired students, but I am expected to help visually-impaired and mentally-challenged students as well. Though, we find out some way to help the students, even we know that this way we are not able to provide proper knowledge to them,” added Shukla. Similarly, Mukesh Bajpai from Barabanki informed, “I took training in teaching mentally-challenged children, but have been handling students with all kinds of disabilities.”

However, the officials concerned deny that any problem exists and claim that given the will, everything could be managed. “There is a shortage of such teachers, but then, we have alternative arrangements, like referral services, to which such students can be referred in case special teachers feel that they are unable to handle a student. Moreover, we have not received any major complaint in this regard so far,” said M Agarwal, the incharge of the IED programme in the state.

Source: Lucknow Newsline

_________________
Vikas

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(Dis)Integrated stands Education for Disabled - Lucknow

DESPITE the tall claims of the government, regarding good educational facilities to the students with mental, visual or hearing imparities under the ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’, the ground reality in various districts of the state is quite to the contrary, so reveal itinerant teachers appointed to assist such students.


These teachers, who help ‘students with special needs’ in the Government Primary and Junior High schools, gathered in the state capital on Friday to plan a dharna to draw attention to the various problems being faced by them, including of a permanent status. They informed Express Newsline how Integrated Education for Disabled in the state has failed to achieve its real purpose.
The teachers gathered in the city from various parts of the state, including Kannauj, Barabanki, Hardoi. They pointed out that following pressure from the higher authorities, the ‘students with special needs’, though given admission in the government schools, are never given due attention, because of which most of them stop coming to school.


“The ground reality of the Integrated Education for Disabled is quite different as it has been projected and just one visit to the schools makes it clear that these special students are not getting proper education and attention. We are supposed to assist the regular teachers in teaching these students, but, instead of ensuring continuous attention to such students, teachers call them from their homes only at the time of our visits- either twice or once a week. After around one-a-half-hour of class with us, they are again sent back home,” said Munna Lal Shukla, an itinerant special teacher from Kannauj.

It is to be noted that the itinerant teachers are responsible for 8-10 schools in one block and the selection of these schools is done on the basis of the number of children with a particular disability. These teachers are appointed for the Integrated Education for Disabled programme under the ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’. The term of around 1,116 such teachers in the state will come to an end on May 31, but most of these teachers feel that they have been misused by the department, as the purpose for which they were appointed could not be achieved.

Sharing problems faced by them, they informed that irrespective of the fact that each one specialises in teaching students of a particular disability, they are expected to teach and monitor students of various disabilities. “I took specialisation in techniques to teach hearing-impaired students, but I am expected to help visually-impaired and mentally-challenged students as well. Though, we find out some way to help the students, even we know that this way we are not able to provide proper knowledge to them,” added Shukla. Similarly, Mukesh Bajpai from Barabanki informed, “I took training in teaching mentally-challenged children, but have been handling students with all kinds of disabilities.”

However, the officials concerned deny that any problem exists and claim that given the will, everything could be managed. “There is a shortage of such teachers, but then, we have alternative arrangements, like referral services, to which such students can be referred in case special teachers feel that they are unable to handle a student. Moreover, we have not received any major complaint in this regard so far,” said M Agarwal, the incharge of the IED programme in the state.

Source: Lucknow Newsline

_________________
Vikas

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City duo beats disability to outrun India

.

FOR Monika Gupta and Satvik Dudeja, Friday the 25th would remain a red-letter day. As CBSE declared its Class XII results, the now alumni of Kulachi Hans Raj Model School-Ashok Vihar emerged as all-India toppers in the ‘Disabled’ category, securing 93.2 and 93 per cent, respectively.

.
Monika, who took the exams with a fractured leg bound on a wheelchair, was celebrating at school when Newsline met her. Giving all credit to her school, she said, “My friends helped me a lot with study material, as it was difficult for me to take down notes due to my weak vision. The teachers also provided me with magnified photocopies (course material).”

.

Monika has a blurred retina, a rare condition that makes it extremely difficult for her to read. She used a magnifying glass to study. Inspired by her parents, both of whom are bankers, she wants to study BCom at Sri Ram College of Commerce. The secret of her success? “Four to five hours of study each day.”

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Satvik, meanwhile, was at home, listening to music and waiting for his sister; for the evening celebrations would begin only afterwards.

.

Though disabled in one leg, “it was never a hindrance for me”, said the admirer of rock group ‘Iron Maiden’. Satvik now awaits the medical entrance examination result. “I have always been fascinated by human anatomy; I have utmost respect for doctors.”
.

His secret? Elementary: “NCERT books”.

.

Besides the duo, 460 other physically challenged students from Delhi walked away with flying colours in CBSE 2007.
.

Source: Delhi Newsline

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility

City duo beats disability to outrun India

.

FOR Monika Gupta and Satvik Dudeja, Friday the 25th would remain a red-letter day. As CBSE declared its Class XII results, the now alumni of Kulachi Hans Raj Model School-Ashok Vihar emerged as all-India toppers in the ‘Disabled’ category, securing 93.2 and 93 per cent, respectively.

.
Monika, who took the exams with a fractured leg bound on a wheelchair, was celebrating at school when Newsline met her. Giving all credit to her school, she said, “My friends helped me a lot with study material, as it was difficult for me to take down notes due to my weak vision. The teachers also provided me with magnified photocopies (course material).”

.

Monika has a blurred retina, a rare condition that makes it extremely difficult for her to read. She used a magnifying glass to study. Inspired by her parents, both of whom are bankers, she wants to study BCom at Sri Ram College of Commerce. The secret of her success? “Four to five hours of study each day.”

.

Satvik, meanwhile, was at home, listening to music and waiting for his sister; for the evening celebrations would begin only afterwards.

.

Though disabled in one leg, “it was never a hindrance for me”, said the admirer of rock group ‘Iron Maiden’. Satvik now awaits the medical entrance examination result. “I have always been fascinated by human anatomy; I have utmost respect for doctors.”
.

His secret? Elementary: “NCERT books”.

.

Besides the duo, 460 other physically challenged students from Delhi walked away with flying colours in CBSE 2007.
.

Source: Delhi Newsline

_________________
Vikas

AccessAbility