Special
Education
Special education aims to enable learners who are physically,
mentally, psychologically and emotionally disabled
to undertake learning suitable for their condition
and capability. It enables talented learners
to develop their aptitude to the fullest potential.
Special education can be provided in special
institutes or in general educational institutions
from pre-school to higher education levels.
The necessity of organizing special education for disabled
or disadvantaged children is recognized in
the National Education Scheme of 1977. In the
1992 National Scheme, it also includes education
for talented learners.
The Department of General Education runs its own special schools
for the deaf, blind, mentally retarded, physically
disabled and multiple handicapped, and co-operates
with private foundations and state hospitals
in providing personnel, equipment and technical
assistance to their special schools or programmes
for blind, hard-of-hearing and slow learners
who may attend classes in regular schools.
In 1996, there were 41 special schools: 20
for hard-of-hearing learners, two for the blind
and 19 for the disabled. In the same year,
7,014 students were enrolled in special education.
In-service training in the use
of teachers’ manuals
and teaching materials is regularly provided
to special education teachers. Special education
as a major subject is also offered in many
Rajabhat Institutes (teacher colleges) and
universities. |
