Education for Students with Disabilities in Covid Times

Covid-19 impacted the education system for all the children. Those with disabilities are the worst affected. In India, children with disabilities usually belong to socio-economically weaker households as compared to the other children. 72% of the disabled population in India reside in rural areas where the education system is already compromised. Further, the inaccessibility of education for many children with disabilities is also due to poor financial resources. A large number of children could simply not attend online classes for want of a digital device and due to inaccessible teaching learning materials.

We have to address this issue holistically- right from ensuring that the child is not denied admission in school due to disability to ensuring that s/he is learning well so that he doesn’t grow up to be a dependent family member but, on the contrary, is able to take care of his dependents.

 

We will address the parental pressure on the child to work and contribute to family income and their inability to supplement and complement what has been taught in the class and work towards creating an environment conducive to education at home.

 

One thing positive that the Pandemic has taught us is that virtual intervention is possible and it can supplement and complement classroom teaching.

We will catch them young, help them go to school/ college regularly and coach them virtually, provide the digital device where required, along with holding periodical personal sessions so that the child is learning well.

200 students with disabilities studying in regular schools and learning well.

They are not merely attending schools but comprehending what is being taught.

They are being coached to help them understand the concepts and learnings of different subjects.

These students will grow up into contributing members of the family as well as society rather than being dependent on their family.