Ensure disabled children in schools under RTE, TN told

In a notification to the School Education Secretary of Tamil Nadu government, the Department of School Education and Literacy, functioning under the MHRD, has asked the authorities concerned to keep the ministry informed on the steps taken in this regard.

The notification, a copy of which has been marked to the Commissioner of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Commissioner of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and CBSE authorities, said the RTE Act mandates free and compulsory elementary education for all children until the age of 14.

Stating that the act has a specific provision to ensure that disabled children have the right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education, it said the RTE Amendment Act (2012) defined various disabilities, besides incorporating other enabling measures.

“It is reiterated that the provisions of the RTE Act regarding the education of children with special needs should be implemented in true spirit”, the notification said adding, “in this regard, measures such as formal identification and assessment, barrier free access to, from and within the school, appropriate teaching learning aids in an inclusive class room should be undertaken.”

To ensure the educational rights of children with special needs, government and local authorities concerned should ensure that no school denies admission to such children, thus creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all children, it said.

“Therefore, the State administration is requested to take necessary action and intimate the School Educationand Literacy Department on the steps taken in this direction”, the notification added.