Overview

The Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) was launched during 2009-10 and replaces the earlier scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC). The aim of this scheme is to enable all students with disabilities to pursue four years of secondary education in an inclusive and enabling environment, after completing eight years of elementary schooling.

The scheme covers all children studying in classes IX to XII in Government, local body and Government-aided schools, with one or more disabilities as defined under the Persons with Disabilities Act (1995) and the National Trust Act (1999). The type of disabilities range from blindness, low vision, leprosy cured, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, mental retardation, mental illness, autism and cerebral leprosy, speech impairment, learning disabilities etc. Girls with disabilities are provided with special attention to help them gain access to secondary education, information and guidance for their developing potential. Moreover, the scheme envisages to set up model inclusive schools in every state.

Aims & Objectives

The Centrally Sponsored IEDSS Scheme aims to:

• Enable all students with disabilities completing eight years of elementary schooling an opportunity to complete four years of secondary schooling (classes IX to XII) in an inclusive and enabling environment
• Provide educational opportunities and facilities to students with disabilities in the general education system at the secondary level (classes IX to XII).
• Support the training of general school teachers to meet the needs of children with disabilities at the secondary level.

The objectives of the scheme will be to ensure that:

Every child with disability will be identified at the secondary level and his educational need assessed.

• Every student in need of aids and appliances, assistive devices, will be provided the same
• All architectural barriers in schools are removed so that students with disability have access to classrooms, laboratories, libraries and toilets in the school.
• Each student with disability will be supplied learning material as per his/ her requirement
• All general school teachers at the secondary level will be provided basic training to teach students with disabilities within a period of three to five years.
• Students with disabilities will have access to support services like the appointment of special educators, establishment of resource rooms in every block.
• Model schools are set up in every state to develop good replicable practices in inclusive education. 

COMPONENTS

Assistance is admissible for two major components

• Student-oriented components such as medical and educational assessment, books and stationery, uniforms, transport allowance, reader allowance, stipend for girls, support services, assistive devices, boarding and lodging facilities, therapeutic services, teaching learning materials, etc.
• Other components include appointment of special education teachers, allowances for general teachers teaching such children, teacher training, orientation of school administrators, establishment of resource room, providing barrier free environment etc.

Implementing Agency

The School Education Department of any State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration acts as the implementation agency and 100 percent Central assistance is provided for all items covered in the scheme. The prerogative to involve NGOs having experience in the field of education of the disabled, in implementing the scheme, completely lies with the implementing agency. The State Governments are only required to make provisions for a scholarship of Rs. 600 per disabled child per annum.