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No room for 'special kids' at top schools of Capital Shaswati Das, Hindustan Times New Delhi | Mr Vohra Highlights on parents request how the Creamy Layer Schools are flouting Guidelines

No room for 'special kids' at top schools of Capital
Shaswati Das, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, February 17, 2012
Children with special needs are allegedly being turned down by some of the city's more prominent schools. In what is a clear violation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, a number of schools in the city have denied admission to these children, claiming
that they lack the special infrastructure required for them.

Sources, however, said that this has become an excuse for schools to turn such children away.

A school in Vasant Vihar, known to have state-of-the-art infrastructure to teach children with special needs, has flatly denied admission.

In addition to this, despite a ban on screening parents and children, by the HRD ministry under section 13(1) of the RTE, schools are still going ahead with the screening process.

"We were called by the school authorities for a screening process with our child. They spent 10 minutes with us in which they made our child solve a puzzle," said Rachna Kumar (MEMBER PARENT OF AmissionsNursery.com) (name changed), whose four-year-old daughter Ritika suffers from autism spectrum disorder.

"It is extremely unfair to expect her to solve a puzzle. They then told us that she was unfit to be a part of the school and asked us to take her back to her old play school, claiming that they could not cater to her needs," Kumar added.

The Kumars are just one of the many sets of parents who have been subject to this trauma. With top schools denying them admission, parents have little choice but to turn to special schools.

Despite the child having a medical clearance, inclusive education remains a distant dream for parents.

"When the final list came out, her name wasn't in there. It is surprising because the government had banned schools from screening parents under the RTE Act. Despite having submitted a certificate to them from the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, which states that she is fit for a mainstream school, our daughter was rejected," added Kumar.

Schools, however, say that there are several logistical issues, which need to be kept in mind before admitting these children.

"The child must not be in a situation where a school takes them in and they get neglected because the school can't cope with them. For example, with children who are autistic, schools may not be able to cope because it is an extremely challenging space. So schools may sometimes be apprehensive while admitting such children," said Ameeta Wattal, vice chairman, National Progressive Schools Council (NPSC).

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Permalink Reply by Lathaa Manavalan on February 17, 2012 at 5:17pm

The Disabilities Act provides guidelines for a section of mentally challenged children to be admitted to regular schools. Combining with the RTE, it has become mandatory to implement it Under section 3 of the RTE Act, 2009 it has been stated that a child suffering from disability, as defined in clause (i) of section 2 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, Protection and Full Participation) Act, 1996 shall have the right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education. Anyone can complain to State Commission for Protection of Child Rights or to NCPCR. Every child with special needs should be placed in the neighbourhood schools, with needed support services. Children with special needs need to be facilitated to acquire certain skills that will enable them to access elementary education as envisaged in the Act. For instance,they may need mobility training, training in Braille, sign language, postural training, etc. Thus, school preparedness of children with special needs must be ensured by providing ‘special training’ as envisaged in the RTE Act. A autistic child normally have normal or high IQ and schools should know that they will be successful academically and they too are capable for a best job.

So this attitudes towards children with special needs have to be changed. There is a need to strengthen the infrastructure, the support and manpower so that policy can be effectively implemented and children can benefit. Academic infrastructure must include special educators too. They are required for the education of children with special needs. Education for all in RTE will be meaningless unless schools admit special kids whose fees can be reimbursed from the Govt.

Most of the schools in Delhi has allotted 5% or 10 points for special kids in its admission criteria. It clearly shows that was only for a paper work and schools are least bothered.

Really feeing painful to hear that a school has tortured and hurted a tiny tot for 10 minutes and also asked to solve a puzzle. I think schools are more puzzled now and not able to find a good soultion in front of capitation. So Screening also done apart from denying admission which is against RTE Act.

DOE Delhi should take strict action for violating RTE Act and also ensure that all schools are prepared for an academic infrastructure for special kids.

Thanks to Mr.Vohra for concentrating the needs of special needs kids too.