APPENDIX P
EDUCATION OF THE MENTALLY AND
 PHYSICALLY DEFICIENT CHILDREN
 

Provision of special schools for the mentally and physically deficient children and assumption of responsibility for them by the State

The memorandum submitted by the Government of the United Provinces, who suggested the subject for discussion, is reproduced below :-

"The mentally deficient and mentally retarded in a modern population are a much greater number than is generally suspected and recent surveys in Scotland show that the problem is very serious one.

"In India nothing at all is done about it and little effort is made even to segregate the moron and even the imbecile from the average child so that in every village school besides the normally retarded, one generally finds more than one imbecile or blind dumb or deaf child who cannot benefit at all from the instruction given. In the United Provinces there am three small schools for the blind none for the deaf mute, or the physically defective. Nothing in done for the mentally retarded or defective child. For the latter it is difficult

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to see what can be done when education is not compulsory but certainly they should not be allowed to keep back the others by their dullness or distract them by their antics, Something, however, can be done for the others and it is the business of the, State to provide special and well equipped and staffed schools for the physically defective . It is suggested that the question of provision be discussed and the type of schools decided on".

2. At their meeting held in February 1942, the Inter-Provincial Board for Anglo-Indian and European Education considered, inter alia, the question relating to the education of subnormal but educable European children and incidentally the suitability for the purpose of the Children's House, Kurseong. The Director of Public Instruction. Bengal, informed the Board that the House Was not in a satisfactory financial position and he could not recommend it. Ultimately the Board resolved that "the Government of India, in view of their past experience in arranging for the education of mentally and physically defective persons, be asked to advise the Board on how the lack of provision in India for the education of sub-normal but educable European children could be met".

3. At present there is only one institution for the education of the mentally handicapped children of all communities viz. Bodhana Niketan at Jhargram in Bengal. the Children's Aid Society at Chembur in Bombay bad a scheme to start a similar school. Reference has already been made to the Children's House, Kurseong, for European children.

NOTE.-A list containing the names of institutions for the blind, and the deal and mute was placed on the table, at the Board's meeting. (Not printed).