Kohima, Nov. 3 (EMN): In the absence of any proper data and inclusive schools, it was reported that children with disabilities were deprived of their basic needs in the educational sector in the state of Nagaland as per the survey findings carried out by some NGOs.
The survey was carried out in 300 SSA schools in Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung during May-April by four NGOs namely Cherry Blossom Society, Care and Support, Grace Society, and Prodigals’ Home with contributions of some freelance survey workers as well.
Highlighting in brief the survey findings at a press conference held this evening at Hotel Japfü, Purnima Kayina, administrator of Cherry Blossoms Schools, said a huge percentage of teachers had never been trained to teach children with disabilities.
Out of the 300 schools, a total of 250 schools were found not having a single trained teacher to train children with disabilities. There is a major shortage of resource teachers with 274 schools reporting that resource teachers never visit their schools, it was informed.
Besides, out of a total of 300 schools, only 3 schools were reported have library equipped with tactile guidelines, pictorial signage, magnifying devices, Braille books, large print books, CD/DVD/ video player/ tapes for every subject as required for different needs of the child at school. Most of the schools were found to have little or no Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) or other equipment, assistive devices, resource room and trained staff.
Kayina said most of the schools were faced with infrastructural constraints as only few schools have ramps, hand rail, grab bars, anti-skid floorings according to the need s of children with disabilities.
Separate toilets for boys and girls were not provisioned in most schools with more than 60% of the schools without any toilet provision for disability students. Coupled with these, she said irregular supply of water in toilets and lack of access to drinking water was common. Lack of transportation or access to public transport and poor road connectivity to schools was also observed.
While steps have been taken to ensure proper lightings inside the classrooms, she said at least 23% of the schools still do not have electricity or very poor or dim lights and 20 schools were found with no windows and ventilators in the classrooms.
Reportedly, 106 schools do not have TLMs as per curriculum schedule and adequate space and seating arrangement for children with availability of assistive devices and adapted furniture were absent in 60 schools, she informed.
While stressing on a major need for all schools to have an inclusive curriculum/policy and assisted by trained teachers, Kayina informed that as per the survey findings 73% of the schools reported that they do not have internal policy for extra-curricular activities.
However, she appreciated that some of the schools have an internal policy/curriculum where parents and school development and management committees are included in the planning, implementation and review of inclusive co-curricular activities.
She also informed that the sample data indicated very low level of integration of events, inclusive event, programmes and activities as only 5% of the schools have included children with disabilities (inclusive groups) in all events/ activities/ programmes in almost all of the school’s scheduled programmes.
While stating her disappointment with a very low level of involvement of stakeholders, Kayina said formation of clubs and encouraging and motivating the students, taking responsibility of mobilising the students and community members for different school activities, etc., were negligible.
The survey also found that VEC and local monitoring committee members were non-committal, which needs to be revived, said Kayina.
Also highlighting the discrimination faced by in various sectors, Kayina lamented that apart from the 5% job reservation announced by the former Governor of Nagaland, Ashwin Kumar, in 2012, even the 3% job reservation in the government is not being implemented in letter and in spirit by the government.
It was also informed that for the last two years, PwDs have been deprived of their rights to escort allowance of Rs 3000 a year by the SSA and pension allowance of Rs 2400 a year by the Social Welfare department.
Reiterating on the need to have accurate and proper data of PwDs in the State, Kayina said a proper survey should be carried out covering both urban and rural areas, which she opined must be done through private agencies and not through government agencies.
