Inclusive education still a dream in Nagaland

Dimapur, May 26 (EMN): State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro, on Friday said that everyone, including civil societies, government departments and churches should take up the responsibility of ensuring inclusive education in the state.

Speaking at the workshop on Rights of Children with Disabilities (CwDs) related to education at Tourist Lodge in Dimapur, Nakhro lamented that Nagaland has only few inclusive schools.

Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalised and excluded groups in the society without even proper data, she said, adding that they are likely to experience exclusion in schools and less likely to complete primary or secondary education.

‘Data is very important but the state doesn’t have statistics related to persons with disabilities, and still following the 2011 census figure which is an underestimated one, she said.

Many people are unaware of various types of disabilities and how it is affecting the education of CwDs due to lack of data, she said.

Nakhro expressed dismay over the present school education system undermining inclusive education.

Children with disabilities in inclusive schools should see themselves like their peers and vice versa, she said, adding that trained teachers should take learning beyond the classrooms.

Inclusion still an exclusive idea

Also speaking at the workshop, Kopele Tepa, Special Educator and Headmistress of Bumblebee Inclusive School, Kohima, said that much has been talked about ‘inclusion’ but it somehow remains to be an exclusive idea as persons with disabilities (PwDs) are not included in the idea or discussion on inclusion.

She asserted that PwDs should be included in the planning and solution.

She stressed on the importance of creating awareness about PwDs in schools, workplace and the community as a whole, adding that inclusive education is the most effective way to give all children a fair chance to go to school, learn and develop their skills.

While maintaining that inclusion will continue to remain a beautiful dream unless intentional and constructive steps are taken to accommodate PwDs, Tepa said the state need to work on producing more trained professionals and ensure that educational institutions open its doors to PwDs, as school should be for all.

PwDs denied admission in schools

Sharing on the scenario of CwDs related to education, Ngaugonbe, joint secretary of NSDF Nagaland, said that the government has been making changes and assuring to provide inclusive education but not much has been done towards it.

Sharing some of the challenges that the CwDs face, he said there is information gap as only professionals and some who have close links with concern department are aware of the guidelines and provisions in terms of education for PwDs; many parents do not know how to avail the provisions and facilities.

He also said that PwDs are denied admission in schools due to lack of trained teachers and accessibility in the campus; they are not provided proper and adequate support in schools due lack of special education.

Ngaugonbe suggested that scholarship programme can be initiated for students with disabilities and schools provide accessible classrooms, offices, auditorium, library, laboratories, toilets and washrooms, as well as train teachers on inclusive education so that they understand and accept the differences of children.

He also stated that PwDs stakeholders have to be included and consulted before making any reforms or changes in the educational system for inclusive education.

Special education teachers

Stating that Nagaland has surplus government teachers, Nellayappan B, Deputy Director of School Education department, mooted the idea of straining some of them as special education teacher and utilise their services.

He said he would propose and submit this idea to the state government after exploring more on the possibilities, adding that the state has only 35 special education teachers attached to EBRCs.

While informing that sincere effort has been put towards rationalising teachers, Nellayappan also said the Education department will retrospect and try to find ways to address various challenges and issues shared by the PwDs during the workshop.

Rokovitsu Khate, Panel Lawyer, Dimapur District Legal Services Authority, also deliberated on rights of CwDs related to education (RPWD Act 2016 and National Education Policy 2020).