The NEP-2020 stresses the importance of inclusive education ~ a process that protects the presence, participation and achievement of all individuals in equitable learning opportunities. Samagra Shiksha, an integrated scheme for school education, highlights that education policies, practices and facilities respect the diversity of all individuals in the classroom because education is a basic human right that should be generated to all regardless of their social status, gender, age, ethnicity, race, language, religion, and disability. Admittedly, inclusion is all about building the inner in children.

In the wake of the publication of the UNESCO’s Salamanca Report in 1994, many developing countries started formulating the process to include students with disabilities in mainstream educational institutions. As per the 2011 census in India, over 61 per cent of disabled children attend educational institutions and 12 per cent of disabled population attended schools earlier. But 27 per cent of them did not do so.

Over the years the government has launched different programmes for their inclusion in mainstream institutions. The Mental Health Act (1987) consolidates the law relating to treatment and care of mentally retarded people. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act,1992 was amended in 2000 to work on manpower development to provide Rehabilitation services. Persons with Disability (PWD) Act,1995 stands for equal opportunity for every person and gives protection of rights and full participation of disabled persons in education, vocation, social security etc.

Advertisement

Every child is assured of getting free education in a good educational climate up to 18 years. Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 tries to protect the rights of education of those belonging to the backward groups and of children with disabilities from any kind of discrimination and ensure to them elementary education. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), 2000 attempts to implement inclusive education and provides orientation of all teachers to the education of children with special needs. The scheme........

© The Statesman