The Uttar Pradesh government has undertaken a significant initiative to strengthen inclusive education and integrate children with disabilities (CWSN) into the mainstream education system. The state government is currently training 1.33 lakh headmasters of council schools to serve as nodal teachers, officials said here.
In the first phase, over 66,000 headmasters have successfully completed their training, while the remaining are presently undergoing the programme. As nodal teachers, these headmasters will be responsible for understanding the needs of the differently-abled children enrolled in council schools and ensuring that they receive the appropriate educational environment and facilities, officials said.
This initiative will reinforce the state’s education system, providing equal opportunities to children with special needs while enhancing their self-confidence, they said.
Uttar Pradesh is poised to set a national benchmark in inclusive education through this initiative. Approximately 3 lakh children with special needs are currently enrolled in council schools across the state, officials noted.
To secure their educational and personal development, a comprehensive 10-day training programme (conducted in two batches of five days each) is being organised at Block Resource Centres. This training equips headmasters with essential skills in child care, understanding individual learning needs, specialised teaching methodologies, knowledge of government schemes, and effective parent engagement strategies.
The Yogi government is prioritising inclusive education to ensure that children with disabilities receive quality education and equal learning opportunities. The specialised training programme for headmasters focuses on equipping them with the necessary skills to support and empower students with special needs, making the learning process more effective and inclusive, officials said.
Uttar Pradesh’s Basic Education Minister, Sandeep Singh, emphasised that the Yogi government is dedicated to providing quality education to every child, regardless of their circumstances.
He highlighted that integrating approximately 3 lakh children with special needs into the mainstream education system remains a top priority.
“Through this training programme, headmasters will not only gain a deeper understanding of these children’s needs but will also play a crucial role in fostering their independence and empowerment,” he remarked.
Key features of the training programme: Headmasters are being trained as nodal teachers to cater to the specific needs of children with disabilities and integrate them into the mainstream education system. The process of recording CWSN students’ attendance on the Samarth portal will be introduced, ensuring the efficient implementation of government schemes.
Training includes methods to establish communication with parents, address students’ challenges, and improve the overall quality of education.
Modern teaching techniques will be imparted to enhance the effectiveness of inclusive education.
