Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme
Source: PIB
GS II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
Overview
- News in Brief
- About Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme
Why in the News?
Recently, the Karnataka government suspended five officers for dereliction of duty in the implementation of the Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme.
News in Brief
- The Karnataka government suspended five officers of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) cadre in the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) recently for dereliction of duty in the implementation of the Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme.
- To enable all students with disabilities, to pursue further four years of secondary schooling after completing eight years of elementary schooling in an inclusive and enabling environment.
- An FIR has been registered against 56 officials of the DSEL and 22 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for criminal offences such as forging documents during the implementation of the scheme.
- Officials of the department committed large-scale irregularities while releasing the grant for the implementation from 2009-10 to 2011-12.
- In this regard, in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting was held.
- It was found that the authorities had released funds to non-existent NGOs.
- The PAC also recommended disciplinary action against the officials who recommended the release of funds to non-existent NGOs.
About Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) scheme
- The Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) has been launched from the year 2009-10.
- This Scheme replaces the earlier scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) and assists with the inclusive education of disabled children in classes IX-XII.
- This scheme is now subsumed under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) from 2013.
- The States/UTs are also in the process of subsuming under RMSA as RMSA subsumed Scheme.
Aim: To enable all students with disabilities, to pursue further four years of secondary schooling after completing eight years of elementary schooling in an inclusive and enabling environment.
Implementing Agency
- The School Education Department of the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations are the implementing agencies.
- They may involve NGOs having experience in the field of education of the disabled in the implementation of the scheme.
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 the lodging facility, therapeutic services, teaching-learning materials, etc.
- Other components:
- Include appointment of special education teachers, allowances for general teachers for teaching such children, teacher training, orientation of school administrators, the establishment of the resource room, providing barrier-free environment, etc.
Coverage
- The scheme covers all children studying at the secondary stage 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).
- Setting up of Model inclusive schools in every State is envisaged under the scheme.
- Girls with disabilities receive special focus to help them gain access to secondary schools, as also to information and guidance for developing their potential.