EDUCATION OF THE DISABLED CHILDREN
The NCERT has been undertaking several programmes/projects to meet the educational needs of children with physical and intellectual disabilities.
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7 EDUCATION OF THE DISABLED CHILDREN The NCERT has been undertaking several programmes/projects to meet the educational needs of children with physical and intellectual disabilities. Highlights of the programmes/projects undertaken during 1996-97 are as follows.
Strengthening of IEDCs in the States in Terms of Capacity building
for Successful Implementation of IEDC A workshop for personnel from seven states was organised to work out an Action Plan for strengthening the IEDC in their respective states. Educational needs were assessed in terms of teacher training, curriculum adjustment and adaptation, and development of teaching- learning materials, aids and equipments. The faculty involved in IEDC will be trained as to how to address the individual needs of disabled children in classroom situation. Relevant teaching strategies to teach these children in classroom situation will also be developed.
Teaching of Hindi Language to Hearing Impaired Children in
Integrated Schools Interaction with teachers and experts enabled the faculty to find out various words, concepts, phrases and expressions that are difficult to understand by hearing impaired children. Interview schedules and observation schedules were developed and some schools were visited. Based on the findings of the study, a habdbook for primary school teachers, teacher educators and researchers is to be brought out. It will also include (i) curriculum to be given to hearing impaired in preparatory classes and (ii) guidelines for effective language development programme for hearing impaired children in integrated schools.
Examination Procedures for Children with Special Needs at the
Elementary and Secondary Levels A group comprising of subject experts, teachers, parents, administrators and CBSE officials considered possible flexibility that can be introduced in the examination system for children with special needs at the elementary and secondary levels. The views of parents, teachers and children were also collected using suitable tools. Based on an analysis of information, procedures for identification, certification and authorisation of provisions were discussed and finalised. Specific examination provisions for children with learning disabilities for Classes I-V and VI-X were drawn out.
Training Package for Primary School Teachers Teaching Learning
Disabled Children The existing teaching-learning methods are being studied to develop suitable training materials for in-service and pre-service teachers. Individual cases are being observed in classrooms. Based on the analysis of data, a training package will be developed.
Orientation Programme for Non-Governmental Organisations In order to promote integrated education to the disabled, an orientation programme for NGOs in southern region was organised in Kerala. The personnel working in the field of education and rehabilitation of disabled were apprised of the latest developments in the area and the recommendations of the revised scheme of IEDC. Attempts were also made to work out modalities of implementing the IEDC scheme and developing linkages with various other institutions/organisations in the field.
State Level Conference of Educational Administrators to Develop
Plans of IED Implementation Utilising IED Experiences (UNICEF) In order to strengthen the implementation of IEDC, a state level conference of Educational Administrators to develop plans for integrated education of the disabled, utilising the experience of the UNICEF-assisted Project Integrated Education of the Disabled (PIED), was organised. The participants developed plans for implementation of IEDC.
Regional Level inputs for Education of Disabled Children The Regional Institute of Education (RIE ,
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Mysore developed training material to enable teachers to identify children with disabilities in learning and the classroom strategies. A training package on remedial instruction in Mathematics for slow learners at the upper primary level was also developed.
Reports and Other Materials Brought Out during 1996-97 1. Project Integrated Education for Disabled: A Handbook
2. Evaluation Study of the Training Programme for ICDS functionaries for Meeting Early Identification and Intervention for Children with Special Needs,
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