Bring spl kids to school at right age: Experts

PUNE: Along with making the infrastructure accessible, there is a need to train and sensitise teachers at all the schools, to teach the students with disabilities in a better way. Only that would bring more specially abled children to schools,” said Nationally recognised Universal Design Expert Kavita Muroogkar, as she spoke about making the educational spaces more inclusive. 

In the first-of-its-kind report recently published by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) New Delhi - State of the Education Report for India 2019- Children with Disabilities, it has been revealed that three-fourths of the children with disabilities at the age of five years do not go to the educational institutes. Further, one-fourth of those between age-group of five and 19 years do not go to any educational institution. 

Accessible infrastructure 
“Discrimination begins at the young age itself,” added Muroogkar. “When we see social exclusion of these children at the school entry level itself, it lays the foundation for the divide that continues to exist between them and the rest of the people throughout their lives. Accessible infrastructure for those with disabilities is the prerequisite that must be included at all educational institutes. As most of the times, schools have been known to deny admission to specially abled children because of lack of infrastructure,” she added. 

She added that keeping in mind the huge spectrum of disabilities that the students might have, the schools must plan their buildings and premises accordingly, and must be equipped with disabled-friendly facilities like ramps, audio maps, accessible toilets, etc. 

Bringing kids to school 
“Along with making the school buildings accessible, efforts are needed to counsel the parents, so that the children come to the schools at the same age, as the rest of the children do,” said Meera Badve of Nivant Andha Mukta Vikasalay. 

“No statistics are perfect. The government needs to research the nooks and crannies of the country, and guide the parents to send their children to schools. Many families, either very rich and affluent, or those who are too poor and illiterate, tend to keep their children at home instead of sending them to school at a young age. Sometimes it is to protect them. Some times, it is due to lack of awareness. However, it is important to guide the parents that sending the children to school at the age of five-six, is necessary,” Badve added. 

The struggle to reach the schools that these children go through, needs to be addressed by the policy makers first, so as to bring about the kind of positive change that is needed, she said. 

Sensitising teachers 
“Teaching disabled students is just an elective subject in the teacher training courses in the state. This subject needs to be made mandatory for all those graduating to be teachers,” Muroogkar said. 

She added, “Training will make these teachers empathetic. They need to be trained in the methods to make learning easy for students with disabilities. Only when the teachers are sensitised, the doors to all the schools would truly open for all the children, no matter their condition.”