The Delhi education department has received only 44 applications out of 5,600 reserved seats for special needs children in private schools across the city. Since last year, private schools recognised by the education department are required to reserve 3 percent of all seats at entry-level classes for kids with disabilities. But this time, it has seen less than 1 percent applicants.

The admission procedure will be done through a centralised draw of lots conducted by the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education (DoE). These has been done along the lines of the process for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students, through which the applicants are allotted schools.

A low number of applications against these special needs seats have been seen since last year. More than five months into the current academic session, 5,647 of these seats still remain vacant. The DoE called for a fresh round of applications on September 9 due to this reason. The date for applications has again been extended up to October 3.

The primary reason for the low number of applications is the lack of physical and teaching-learning infrastructure for children with special needs in city schools. It was only after directives from the High Court, Delhi government and provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act that all schools have moved towards inclusive education.

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Earlier, 151 school in Delhi were issued show-cause notices by a child rights body of the Delhi government for not having special educators. In its notice, the Delhi Commission For Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has warned these schools of strict action in case they fail to appoint a special educator within six weeks of the notice. This means the schools had to certify within 15 days of the receipt of the notice that they have a special educator. Otherwise, they are suppose to appoint one within six weeks of the notice, said the DCPCR.

Source: Indian Express