State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) chairperson Usha Negi has sent a letter to the State’s Education Minister Arvind Pandey for the appointment of special teachers for disabled children in all the Government schools.

Negi said that the commission has been receiving complaints from all over the state that these children are not being given admissions in the schools because of the lack of special teachers for them.

 She also informed that on asking questions from the education department, they received information that there is an evident decrease in the number of disabled children in schools from last few years.

Around 22,903 disabled students were studying in schools in 2014 which has now reduced to 5200 because of the lack of special teachers in schools.

Negi informed that the education department is planning on abolishing the remaining posts of the special teachers and its decision will be made in the cabinet.

She has hence questioned the education minister about the plight of these children if the remaining posts will be abolished too.

She said that 95 special teachers were to be appointed from class ninth to twelfth in 95 blocks under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan but now only one teacher will be appointed for two blocks together for disabled children.

 She also said that the high court has given orders that every school must have at least one special teacher and the financial responsibility of these teachers is taken by the central Government.

She has asked the education minister to appoint special teachers in all the government schools as soon as possible so that no child should be deprived of education as it is his/her right.

Apart from appointing one special teacher in each government school, it is the responsibility of the State authorities to ensure that the disabled children must be imparted education in ordinary schools or special schools by releasing special funds.

It is the fundamental right of every special child to develop with dignity and equality thus equal opportunities must be provided to him/her.