GCERT seeks proposals for disabled students’ course

The IEDC scheme was started in 1986,but a year ago,the Union HRD Ministry replaced it with the Inclusive Education for Disabled at the Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme. But Gujarat lagged behind in implementing the scheme on time,leading to the non-payment of over 1,248 teachers in the last 16 months.

The High Court is yet to take a decision on the pending cases,including those related to non-payment and re-appointment of teachers,among others.

But NGOs involved with the project have been asked to submit a grant proposal for the year 2010-11.

“We had a court hearing last Friday,but there has been no judgment on the matter yet. The fate of the teachers is yet to be decided. But we were surprised to know that the 65 NGOs involved in the scheme have been asked to submit the details for the scheme,” said Jitendra Parekh,Secretary of the All Gujarat Integrated Education Teachers Association.

With no confirmation on when the scheme will be practically implemented in Gujarat amid the court cases,the teachers have voiced their doubts.

“The HRD Ministry has already allotted a grant of about Rs 15 crore and has asked for the details on the number of benefiting students. On paper,the IEDSS scheme is already in place from this new academic year like in other states. We will implement it as soon we get the orders,” said M T Wachani,Deputy Director,IEDSS Cell,GCERT.

He added: “The HRD Ministry has already approved 221 teachers for recruitment in the IEDSS scheme. The approval of another 186 is awaited. The salary of the approved teachers have been sanctioned and we are waiting for the court orders to pay the teachers.

But other teachers who have not been selected will be taken up under various schemes like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA). This has,however,been disputed in the court.”