Lucknow
Nearly 60,000 head teachers in state-run schools will be given special training to sensitize them in handling cross-disabilities in classrooms. The training is aimed at bringing inclusiveness to classrooms.
The State Education Department in collaboration with Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (SMNRU) and UNICEF have come up with 90-day training module 80 days online and 10 days offline.
This will make the teachers aware of the concept of inclusive education and introduce them to different disabilities. They will be trained in working with, Children With Special Needs (CWSN) in classrooms, parent counselling, screening of physical barriers of CWSN, early identification, types, causes, prevention and strategies of children with hand, limb, sight and hearing disabilities.
In addition, these teachers will also be sensitized to autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disability, individualized education plan and specific teaching-learning disability. Through this, we will be able to instill confidence in teachers to reach out to special children, said Nand Kumar who is heading the project in the education department.
There are 3.40 lakh CWSN enrolled in 1.32 lakh schools across UP for which there are only 2,256 special educators. With few special educators against high number of CWSN, it was thought appropriate to train head teachers to increase their knowledge, understanding and training to deal with children with special needs. Understanding will lead to empathy, said a district coordinator (Inclusive Education).
