Delhi Government Champions Inclusivity by Involving PwDs in School Training Initiatives
In a significant move toward fostering a more inclusive educational environment, the Delhi government is actively engaging Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in training and capacity-building activities across its schools. This initiative aims to improve all-round access to education for children with special needs, ensuring that their perspectives are integral to the development of educational content and methodologies.
Implementation of DoE Committee Recommendations
The decision stems from the recommendations of an internal committee established by the government's Directorate of Education (DoE) last year. This committee was tasked with enhancing the school working environment for both students and teachers. According to a senior official, the government has accepted all the committee's recommendations, and the implementation process is currently underway. The official emphasized that this step is crucial for addressing existing gaps in inclusive education.
SCERT Circulars Formalize Inclusive Practices
On January 27, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) issued a circular advising all District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to preferably include PwDs in content development, course design, and the conduct of training programmes. SCERT, which oversees the nine DIETs in Delhi, aims to raise the quality of school education by improving attitudes, increasing knowledge application, and enhancing teaching skills.
The circular also recommended engaging qualified PwDs as resource persons, subject experts, or facilitators for training, workshops, seminars, and orientation programmes wherever feasible. It stressed that training methodologies, materials, and delivery modes should adhere to the principles of universal design and accessibility as much as possible. "The initiative aims to promote inclusive practices, enhance the quality and relevance of training programmes, and uphold the principles of equal opportunity and participation," the circular stated.
Focus on Equity and Mainstreaming
Another senior SCERT official highlighted the emphasis on equity and mainstreaming in this initiative. "Instead of segregation or special classrooms, the focus has to be on mainstreaming. Representation of persons with disabilities in content development and need-assessment workshops, along with special educators, is essential to achieve this," the official explained. This approach ensures that PwDs are not sidelined but are actively involved in shaping educational strategies that affect them directly.
The government official further elaborated that the immediate and major recommendation from the DoE's panel was that inclusive training would help bridge existing gaps. "As a logical solution, it was found necessary to involve persons who have special needs themselves as resource persons," the official said, underscoring the value of firsthand experience in creating effective educational tools.
Expanding Resource Centers for Children with Special Needs
In addition to involving PwDs in training, the committee, which comprised heads and teachers of government schools, recommended increasing the number of resource centers for children with special needs (CWSN). The government has decided to add four more such centers to the existing 24, aiming to better support the 35,887 CWSN enrolled in Delhi government schools from pre-primary to higher secondary levels, as per official data from 2023-24.
Formalizing Previously Ad Hoc Practices
SCERT officials noted that the circulars are intended to formalize practices that were previously undertaken in an ad hoc manner. "We are including teachers and academics with disabilities from universities for material development and training. Earlier, this was not an officially declared practice. The step is being taken after directions from the DoE committee; steps are now being taken to improve content and training with a clear focus on accessibility," a senior SCERT official revealed.
Through a separate circular, SCERT has invited nominations of PwDs for content development, course design, and curriculum development activities, as well as for engagement as resource persons or subject experts for professional development initiatives conducted by SCERT and DIETs. This structured approach ensures a systematic and sustained inclusion of PwDs in the educational framework.
Broader Objectives of the Initiative
The overarching goal of this initiative aligns with the Department of School Education & Literacy's objective to provide appropriate teaching-learning materials, instructional and training aids, therapeutic services, and in-service training for special educators and general teachers on curriculum adaptation for CWSN. By raising awareness of issues relating to CWSN in schools and addressing their specific needs, the Delhi government aims to create a more equitable and supportive learning environment for all students.
This proactive step by the Delhi government not only enhances the inclusivity of school education but also sets a precedent for other regions to follow, demonstrating a commitment to empowering Persons with Disabilities through active participation in educational planning and implementation.
