KVS asks schools to engage special educators on contract after Delhi HC orders 'regular posts'

NEW DELHI: Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has directed all KVs to mandatorily engage special educators on contract basis after Delhi High Court recently directed to recruit instructors for “permanent posts”.

The Joint Commissioner Academics NR Murali, in a letter addressed to all deputy commissioners of regional offices, said: “It is requested to direct all principals under the region to engage special educators in all KVs immediately if not engaged earlier. Qualification as prescribed by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is to be followed.”

The notice to recruit special instructors comes after the Delhi High Court on November 17 directed KVS and Centre to sanction regular posts of special educators in Kendriya Vidyalayas within eight weeks for the education of Children with Special Needs (CWSN).

Stating that many KVs are yet to engage special educators on contractual basis, Murali said: “As this matter is subjudice before the High Court, the latest position of availability of special educators is required to be submitted before the High Court as on 30.11.2022 and hence, it is informed that the special educators are to be engaged through contractual basis till the sanction of post by the KVS.”

“Small KVs that have shortage of funds for engaging special instructors may approach the regional office with justification of funds. In case there is a shortage of funds in the regional office, the case may be referred to KV headquarters,” the letter dated November 21 read.

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Petition for special instructors in KVs

A petition was filed in April this year asking the high court to direct KVS to create an adequate number of regular posts of special educators, frame recruitment rules, and recruit at least 2 special educators for each school.

Advocates Ashok Agarwal and Kumar Utkarsh represented petitioner Social Jurist in April. “I had raised this issue in 2009 in Delhi High Court and KVS had assured the court that it will not lag behind in providing facilities to its physically challenged students but did nothing. We are very concerned about the education of children with disabilities and hence filed PIL. Now, we are happy that things have started changing and KVS is taking some action,” advocate Ashok Agarwal told Careers360.

The petitioners had also said that the non-appointment of special educators in each of Kendriya Vidyalayas will not only discourage thousands of students with disabilities studying in KVs but would also discourage children with disabilities to take admission in KV.

As many as 5,701 children with special needs are studying in KVs across the country as on December 31, 2021. There are a total of 1,239 Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country, out of which 49 KVs are situated in Delhi.

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Special educators

Special educators are persons who work with students having learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with disabilities. They teach basic skills to such students that help them in performing their day-to-day activities smoothly.

Graduates with BEd (Special Education) or BEd with 2 years diploma with special education are eligible to apply for the post of special educators in KVs. A candidate selected for the post of special educators on contract basis will get a consolidated payment of Rs 21,250 per month.