Goa Board to provide for equal edu opportunities for CwDs
Breaking down barriers to education, the Goa Board has issued a circular to schools, following the recommendation of the Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The circular instructs schools not to deny admission to any Children with Disabilities (CwDs) as per the mandate under Section 16(i) of the Right of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
The circular has been issued with immediate effect and is expected to facilitate the admission process for students with disabilities. Despite repeated instructions, there were instances where students with disabilities were denied admission under certain circumstances, which prompted the issuance of this circular.
Despite repeated instructions, there were instances where students with disabilities were denied admission under certain circumstances, which prompted the issuance of this circular.
The circular also deleted the points related to vertical mobility, which stated that children opting for General Science or Modified Science would not be able to join the science stream in Std XI, and children taking up New Maths or Modified Maths would not be able to opt for maths in Std XI. These restrictions created roadblocks for students with disabilities to pursue their desired courses.
The commission stressed that the circular issued by the Goa Board is aimed at providing an inclusive setup for students with disabilities.
“We welcome this move and appreciate the Goa Board for its sensitised approach towards the issue. This is a crucial step towards creating an inclusive learning environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all students, irrespective of their abilities," said Guruprasad R Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa.
This is a crucial step towards creating an inclusive learning environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all students, irrespective of their abilities
Guruprasad R Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa
"We hope this circular will encourage schools to be more sensitive and accommodating towards students with disabilities and help them pursue their academic interests with dignity,” Pawaskar added.
The commission has urged the heads of the institutions to adhere to the mandates of the RPwD Act strictly for effective implementation. The commission hopes that all educational institutions will provide a barrier-free learning environment for students with disabilities.