Disabled kids wait for special educators in MCD schools

When his parents,residents of Shastri Park,realised that he is not able to study in his school,they approached MCD Assistant Director Education of Shahadara in South Zone,Seema Sharma. Sharma,in turn wrote a letter (a copy of which is with Newsline) to a private school in the neighbourhood to admit the child. The private school,run by an NGO in the city has facilities for special children and also provides physiotherapy to the differently abled.

Meanwhile,no MCD school has a special educator as yet. Chairperson of MCD Education Committee Mahinder Nagpal said,“Last month in our Standing Committee meeting,we passed a proposal to hire at least 1,790 special educators in our schools. We have fulfilled our formality. Now it depends on the government.” He added that they have framed the recruitment rules.

“Teachers for special children should have been recruited a year ago,” said Ashok Agarwal,lawyer and social activist who had filed a petition in the High Court. “The High Court gave its order in 2009,so this process should have been completed last year. Meanwhile,children are suffering,” he added.

There are at least 1,729 primary schools run by the civic body. Last month in theMCDs Standing Committee meeting,it was proposed to have at least 1,790 posts of special educators. The Right to Education Act makes it compulsory for children aged 6-14 to get free education.