The Samagra Shiksha, a centrally sponsored programme under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, serves as an integrated initiative for comprehensive school education. Encompassing children from pre-primary to senior secondary levels, including those with special needs, it addresses various aspects of educational provision. Within the framework of Samagra Shiksha, a specific focus is given to Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs (CwSN). This specialized component offers a range of support measures for differently-abled children, including the provision of aids, appliances, assistive devices, teaching-learning materials (TLMs), as well as assistance with transportation, escort services, and scribe allowances, Annpurna Devi, minister, state, education, told in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Furthermore, the inclusive education component involves annual block identification and assessment camps, along with stipends for differently-abled girls. These initiatives aim to facilitate access to schools and ensure the successful completion of their education, according to an official release.
The scheme also ensures that schools are equipped with facilities for barrier-free access, featuring ramps with handrails and specially designed toilets for differently-abled individuals. According to UDISE+ 2021-22 data, 5,89,986 schools are equipped with ramps, while 2,14,430 schools have differently-abled friendly toilets for boys, and 1,80,786 schools have such facilities for girls. Adequate funding is allocated to States/Union Territories under Samagra Shiksha based on their annual proposals in the annual work plan and budget, the release mentioned.
The primary focus of Samagra Shiksha is to promote inclusive education for Divyang children. This approach encourages the participation and shared learning experiences of children, irrespective of their abilities or disabilities, within the same classroom. The aim is to foster an inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students, it added.