CBSE: Are there any facilities available for special children?

Central Board of Secondary Education has sought replies from schools on the kind of academic support and infrastructure they are providing to students with exceptional needs. As part of School Assessment in Inclusive Education, CBSE has asked for information from schools on efforts put by them to present an environment that is barrier-free to its students. "It is expected in the Persons with Disability Act 1995 and Affiliation Byelaws of the board that all schools should have a barrier - free environment. You are appealed to give feedback on barrier-free environment in your school. This will help us in classifying schools with facilities for inclusive education," CBSE has mentioned on its official website.

The feedback form has a wide-ranging list of 33 questions on the efforts taken by schools to endorse comprehensive education. Out of these questions, some of those which schools need to take action to are whether it is open to giving admission to handicapped children, accessibility of special educators, if the school is amending the evaluation system or curriculum for children with special needs (CWNS) & their participation in curricular activities.

The founder of Sol's ARC, a centre for special education stated "Facilities for students with special needs are available only in schools where the resource centre or special educators are very strong but this number is very few. Most schools provide concession only during class tests and the students are left without help during the term or board exams."