Samagra Shiksha J&K observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

SHYAM SOOD

=Education to specially abled students is the prime concern SED: Alok Kumar
=SWD is keen for the upliftment of children with special needs-Sheetal Nanda,

RAJOURI DDECEMBER 03:–Samagra Shiksha J&K organised an impressive function/ cultural event at Teachers Bhawan Jammu to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Principal Secretary (PS), School Education Department (SED), Alok Kumar was the Chief Guest while on Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department (SWD), Sheetal Nanda was a special invitee in the event.
Others who attended the celebrations include Project Director (PD) Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj; Director School Education (DSE) Jammu, Ashok Kumar Sharma; Special Secretary, Kanta Devi; Special Secretary, Anu Behl; &JD SED, Subha Mehta.
Specially abled children from various schools across the UT showcased their extraordinary talent while performing cultural/other items.
The program started with the National Anthem, by the Specially abled children in Sign Language which mesmerized the audience with a patriotic emotion.
Deep Raj presented the welcome address, wherein he briefed about the different initiatives taken for welfare of Children with Special Needs under Inclusive Education scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
“Efforts are being made to encourage Specially abled children to attend school as special educators /resource teachers engaged to impart education to them. Braille Books have also been got printed by the Samagra Shiksha and stands shared with the concerned stakeholders. Presently 21000 children with Special needs (CWSN) getting education in the schools,” said Deep Raj.
Special exposure tours and sports activities have been organised for the CWSN in the current year across the UT.
“Specially abled children are having lot of potential. SED and SWD jointly taking several initiatives for upliftment of such students who are enrolled in government Schools,” said Sheetal Nanda.
She aware the people to take benefits of the scheme initiated by SWD for the welfare of CWSN.
The aim of IDPD is to encourage the specially abled students. The Specially abled students must be renamed as Specially Talented students, who performed on the stage at par with professional people. All the facilities shall be provided under Inclusive Education to such children so that they may excel in their life and may fight with the challenges they face,” said Alok Kumar.
He added that skill development courses shall be made available for these specially abled students, so that they may earn their livelihood.
“Under Samagra Shiksha, 64 fully equipped Resource Rooms have been constructed wherein 83 Special Educators/ Resource Persons are working for providing educational as well as therapeutic support to CWSN. Assessments Camps are being organized in all 188 Zones and free aids/appliances are distributed among the CWSN,” said Alok Kumar.
“4990 Children, have been provided Assistive devices under Samagra Shiksha in the current year in collaboration with ALIMCO. More than, 2.35 Crores have been disbursed to CWSN on account of allowances during current year through DBT Mode. Besides, 550 CWSN toilets have also been constructed in the government schools for the facilitation of CWSN,” he added.
Felicitation of specially abled children, in the field of academics, fine arts, sports or other fields was also part of the event.
Vijay Singh, State Coordinator (IE) presented vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to all participants.
Other prominent who attended the event include State Coordinators, Prem Path, Girja Challu, Ashwani Kumar, Ajeet Sharma, Sarika Gupta, Oneel Bhat; Adm. Officer, Jaideep Singh; ASCs, Dr. Imran Bukhari, Sajad Ahmed, Dr. Naveen Katoch, Shamim Akhter & Principals, Lecturers; Head of different Institutions .