 THE EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED
 AND SOCIAL AND CHILD WELFARE

Committees on the Education of the Handicapped

A National Advisory Council for the Education of the Handicapped was appointed by this Ministry by a Government Resolution in September, 1955. The functions of this Council are to advise the Government of India on all problems concerning the education, training, employment and provision of social and cultural amenities for the physically and mentally handicapped, to formulate new schemes and to serve as a liaison between the Government of India and voluntary organisations in this field.

A sum of Rs. 8,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for the next financial year against the existing provision of Rs. 5,000 for the meetings of the Council and the various special committees to be set up by the Council to deal with specific problems. (Demand No. 19)

Central Braille Press

The Central Braille Press, Dehra Dun, was set up in October, 1950 to produce literature for the blind in the principal Indian languages. The Press has so far produced 21 books in the following Languages:-

Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujrati, Marathi and English.

Steps are being taken to increase the productive capacity of the Press.

A sum of Rs. 1,40,000 exists in the budget for the current finan- cial year for the administration of the Press. The same amount has been provided in the budget estimates for the next financial year.

(Demand No. 19)

Transcription of Books into Bharati Braille

The object of the Central Braille Press, Dehra Dun functioning under the administration of this Ministry is to produce literature for the blind in the principal Indian languages; but the productive

capacity of this Press is still limited. It has, therefore, become necessary to assist poorly financed institutions for the blind to transcribe their own books in Bharati Braille. This Scheme has been functioning since 1953-54.

A provision of Rs. 8,000. exists in the budget for the current financial year for this purpose. (Demand No. 19)

Periodical, "The Deaf in India"

A sum of Rs. 1,400 was granted for 1955-56 to the Convention of the Teachers of the Deaf in India, for the publication of the quar- terly periodical, "The Deaf in India". The same amount has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

The Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Dehra Dun

The Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Debra Dun, imparts training in the cottage-industry type of handicrafts to about 150 blind men. Admission is open to adult blind men between the ages of 18 and 40 from all parts of the country.

Against the existing budget provision of a total sum of Rs. 5,51,400 (Rs. 5,00,000-temporary charges and Rs. 51,400 permanent charges) a total sum of Rs. 3,15,500 (Rs. 2,64,000 temporary charges and Rs. 51,500-permanent charges) has been provided in the budget estimates for the next financial year.

The reduced provision for the next financial year is due to the fact that separate provision is proposed to be made for two schemes, namely a Sheltered Workshop for the Blind and Employment Organisation for the Handicapped, that were initiated on an experimental basis, in 1954 as parts of the Training Centre. (Demand No. 19).

Sheltered Workshop for the. Blind

A Sheltered Workshop for the Blind-an adjunct to the Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Dehra Dun-was set up in June 1954, as an experimental measure. Ten blind workers have been employed in this workshop in chair-caning and weaving woollen textiles.

It is proposed to expand the workshop during the Second Five-Year Plan period in order to accommodate 100 workers. A sum of Rs. 2,00,000 has been provided in the revenue budget estimates for 1956-57 for the administration of the workshop. (Demand No. 19)

Employment Organisation for the Handicapped

An Employment Office of the Training, Centre for the Adult Blind was set up at Madras in July, 1954 to try to secure remunerative employment for ex-trainees of the Training. Centre in ordinary industrial establishments. Placement has so far been secured for 32 ex-trainees of the Centre.

It is proposed to set up in the Second Five-Year Plan period an independent Employment Organisation for the Handicapped which will cater for all major groups of handicapped persons. (Demand No. 19)

Random Sample Survey of the Handicapped

The object of this scheme is to conduct a random sample survey during the Second Five-Year Plan period in order to determine the incidence of various handicaps and to ascertain the educational and other needs of the various groups of handicapped persons. The modus- operandi of this scheme will be chalked out in consultation with the National Advisory Council for the Education of the Handicapped.

A sum of Its. 38,000 has been provided in the budget estimates, for 1956-57 for this purpose. (Demand No. 19)

Schemes to Assist Voluntary Organisations and State Governments

The object of these Schemes is to give financial assistance to voluntary organisations for the handicapped to develop and maintain existing services and to introduce new services for the handicapped, specially in cases where the Central Social Welfare Board cannot assist, and to State Governments for implementing their schemes for the education and welfare of the handicapped. The Schemes are proposed to be included in the Second Five-Year Plan. (Demand No. 19)

Scholarships for the Blind

Under this scheme, scholarships are awarded to blind students over the age of 16 for higher academic education, vocational or professional training. It is proposed to carry over the Scheme its the Second Five-Year Plan.

A sum of Rs. 66,000 has, been provided in the budget estimates for the next financial year against the existing provision of Rs, 32,500. (Demand No. 19)

Scholarships for the study of Social Sciences

The object of this scheme is to help deserving and poor students for the study of the social sciences or social work. The scheme is proposed to be included in the Second Five-Year Plan.

A sum of Rs. 35,000 has been provided under the Scheme in the budget estimates for the next financial year. (Demand No. 19)

Scholarships for the Deaf

The object of the scheme is to award scholarships to deaf persons over the age of 16 to enable them to undertake education higher than primary or middle standard, or technical or professional trainIng. This Scheme is being initiated from the current financial year as an entirely Central Scheme, and is proposed to be carried over to the Second Five-Year Plan. Fifty candidates have been tentatively selected for award of scholarships subject to their obtaining admission to recognised institutions.

Against the existing budget provision of Rs. 24,000 a sum of Rs. 44,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Scholarships for the Orthopaedically Handicapped

The object of the Scheme is to award scholarships to orthopaedi- cally handicapped students at all stages of education including technical and professional training, with a view to meeting the extra expenditure on account of the student's disabilities. This scheme is being initiated from the current financial year as an entirely Central scheme, and is proposed to be carried over to the Second Five-Year Plan.

Against the existing provision of Rs. 12,000 a sum of Rs. 21,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Scholarships for the Mentally Handicapped

The object of this scheme is to award scholarships to mentally retarded children of poor parents to enable them to undertake special education. The scheme is proposed to be executed as an entirely Central scheme from the next financial year and to be included in the Second Five-Year Plan.

A sum of Rs. 10,000 has been provided under the Scheme in the budget estimates for 1955-56. (Demand No. 19)

Regional Courses for the Teachers of the Blind

On the recommendation of the Seminar on the Education of the Blind held at Mussoorie in April, 1955, this Ministry proposed to hold regional short-term training courses for the teachers of the blind during the Second Five-Year Plan period until such time, as the Model School for Blind Children, Dehra Dun, that will have a full-fledged Teacher's Training Department for the Blind, is established.

A sum of Rs. 13,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for the next financial year for this purpose. (Demand No. 19)

Programme for the Construction of Buildings

It is proposed to construct buildings for the following during the Second Five-Year Plan, for which provision exists in the budget estimates for 1956-57.

(1) Two Residential Nursery schools for blind children.

(2) Model School for Deaf Children.

(3) Training Centre for the Adult Deaf.

(4) Model School for Mentally Handicapped Children.

(5) National Children's Museum.

(6) Model School for Blind Children.

(7) Women's Section of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind.

(8) Workshop for the Manufacture of Braille Appliances, Dehra Dun.

(9) Expansion of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind.

(10) Sheltered Workshop for the Blind, Dehra Dun.

(Demand No. 137)

Pilot Centres for the Education of Juvenile Delinquents

A Pilot Centre for the Education of Juvenile Delinquents was set up at Hazaribagh, Bihar jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Bihar in 1954. The scheme has been included in the First Five-Year Plan. It is proposed to assist other State Governments in setting up some more centres of this type during the Second Five-Year Plan period. A sum of Rs. 1,53,000 exists, in the budget for the current financial year for the existing Pilot Centre. (Demand No. 19)

Bal Bhavan, Delhi

The establishment of a Bal Bhavan, Delhi has been included in the First-Five Year Plan. The primary object of the Bal Bhavan

will be to organise recreation and constructive leisure-time acti- vities for children of the age-group of 5-10 and 11-14. An autonomous Board known as the Bal Bhavan Board has been set up by a Government Resolution. The Board has already started its preliminary work. The scheme is proposed to be included in the Second Five-Year Plan.

Against the existing provision of Rs. 3,00,000 (Rs. 2,50,000- revenue and Rs. 50,000-capital) a total sum of Rs. 5,00,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Central Social Welfare Board

The Central Social Welfare Board is an autonomous Board set up under the administration of this Ministry in August, 1953. The primary object of the Board is to assist voluntary Social Welfare Organisations in maintaining and developing their existing activities and to coordinate these activities into the general pattern of the Five-Year Plan. The present programme of the Board, however, comprises the establishment of Welfare Extension Projects, financial assistance to voluntary organisations, and the training of Gram- Sevikas and midwives for Welfare Extension Projects.

Against the existing grant of Rs. 2,25,00,000 for the activities of the Board, a sum of Rs. 2,12,00,000 has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No. 19)

Advisory Board on Social Welfare

Following the formation of the Central Social Welfare Board, this Ministry reconstituted its Advisory Board on Social Welfare, that has been functioning for the last several years. One of the main functions of this Advisory Board is to advise the Government of India on grants to be given to universities and other institutions interested in social work and social sciences for conducting research in this field.

A sum of Rs. 5,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year for the meetings of the Board. An equal amount has been provided in the budget estimates for 1956-57. (Demand No, 19)

Grants-in-aid for Research Projects in Social Welfare

On the advice of the Advisory Board on Social Welfare, this Ministry gives grants to universities and institutions interested in social work and social sciences for carrying out research projects in this field. The scheme is proposed to be, carried over to the Second Five-Year Plan.

A sum of Rs. 1,00,000 exists for this purpose in the budget for the surrent financial year. (Demand No. 19)

Grants-in-aid to Institutions conducting Training and Research in Social Work

This Ministry gives grants to institutions imparting training in Social Work in order to help them to maintain and develop their existing facilities. With the growing stress on social welfare it is important that the tempo of training programmes should also be accelerated.

A sum of Rs. 2,00,000 exists for this Purpose during 1955-56 and an equal amount has been provided in the budget estimates for the next financial year. (Demand No. 19)

THE EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED AND SOCIAL AND CHILD WELFARE