Ensure children with special needs receive RTE benefits: Education ministry tells states, UTs

NEW DELHI: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Ministry of Education asked states and union territories to ensure that Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in government, government-aided inclusive, home-based, or special schools receive their Right to Education (RTE) entitlements such as free uniforms, textbooks, interventions under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, and mid-day meals under the PM Poshan Scheme. The department issued an advisory to states, UTs in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The advisory also particularly addresses the nutritional needs of CwSN students in special schools under the social welfare department and those with severe disabilities in home-based education. By incorporating these students into the PM POSHAN scheme, the government aims to address their nutritional needs and enhance their overall well-being through dry rations or Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

“The aim is to ensure the NEP 2020 objective of providing access to quality education for all including CwSN thereby realising their Right to Education and promoting inclusive education,” the ministry said in an official statement.

The RTE Act, 2009, guarantees free education for children aged 6 to 14. The RTE entitlements include free uniforms, textbooks, and financial support for 25% of admissions under Section 12 (1) (c) of the RTE Act.

The Inclusive Education (IE) component of Samagra Shiksha ensures CwSN access to quality education through academic assistance and resources such as aids, appliances, assistive devices, transportation, scribe and escort allowances, braille books, large print books, stipends for girls with special needs, and teaching-learning materials.

The PM POSHAN scheme provides nutritional support from pre-primary to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools, ensuring all children, including those with special needs, receive the necessary support for their educational journey.