Kohima, Nov. 3 (EMN): With the primary objective to raise awareness and visibility of the widespread exclusion of disabled children from education and to change the attitude of people and societies towards disability, Include Vidya Campaign (IVC) rally is being organised on November 4.
The rally is being organised by RAISE Northeast (Regional Action on Inclusive Education in North East) under CBM’s Vidya Campaign in Kohima with its lead partner Cherry Blossoms Society. The rally hoped to influence government and policy makers to make greater commitment towards inclusive education.
Addressing media person this evening at Hotel Japfü, Purnima Kayina, administrator Cherry Blossoms School, informed that 23 schools will partake in the rally, which will start at 9 AM from over-bridge near Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima, thereafter march to Academy Hall for the rest of the programme.
It was informed that on April 12, 2016, Cherry Blossoms School, which is a part of RAISE NE project, organised a programme at Hotel Japfü, Kohima. RAISE NE jointly funded by three NGOs, Light for the World, CBM and Lilian Fonds include 15 partners across the five states which includes Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura in the North-East of India.
Giving a brief highlight on the IVC rally, she said CBM’s Vidya Campaign is taking the initiative to spread awareness on inclusive schooling by organising rallies all over India to include children with disabilities in education.
The campaign, she informed, complements the government’s flagship programme viz. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to achieve its goal of ‘Education for all’ as children with disabilities too have equal rights to access education.
Kayina further stated this goes beyond enrolment to active learning, participation in a classroom as well as the playing field and other extracurricular activities.
CBM India, together with partners and other key stakeholders, she informed aims to increase enrolment and retention of children with disabilities in mainstream schools, gain community and parents commitment to ensure inclusive education, ensure children with disabilities in schools are learning with their peers and most importantly appoint special educators in general schools to fill existing vacancies and make inclusive education successful.
Also speaking on the occasion, RAISE NE advocacy coordinator, Hirohito Habib said its main aim was to strengthen NGO pool of expertise to promote inclusive education for children with disabilities, develop teachers competence, attitudinal change through awareness programmes and encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) to become models of inclusive education.
The rally will be followed by a programme at State Academy Hall from 12 noon, where an interschool group dance and song competition and talent show by People with Disability (PWDs) will be held. Special appearance will be made by Chuba CJ dubbed as Kishore Kumar of Nagaland.
