The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that Children with Special Needs (CwSN) receive equal opportunities in education, sports, and recreation.

These guidelines are intended to promote inclusivity and ensure that schools provide an environment conducive to the academic and social development of CwSN students.]

The CBSE’s guidelines are aligned with the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016, particularly Section 16, which mandates that all educational institutions funded or recognised by the government must offer inclusive education to children with disabilities.

The official CBSE notification underscores that schools must admit CwSN students without discrimination and must strive to create an inclusive environment that caters to their specific needs.

KEY GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS

Schools are required to make their buildings, campuses, and facilities accessible to all students, regardless of their physical abilities.

The guidelines highlight the need for reasonable accommodation tailored to individual requirements, ensuring that every student with a disability has the support needed for their academic and social development.

Further, the guidelines call for education to be provided to students who are blind, deaf, or both in the most suitable languages and modes of communication.

Schools are also directed to detect specific learning disabilities early and to adopt appropriate pedagogical measures to help students overcome these challenges.

To monitor progress effectively, schools must keep track of each CwSN student’s participation, attainment levels, and completion of education.

The guidelines include details of infrastructure changes that schools need to ensure involving the floor, ramp setup, lift setup along with mirror and button colour, and toilet setup along with washbasin and toilet seat.

Additionally, the guidelines emphasise the importance of providing transportation facilities for children with disabilities, along with support for their attendants if needed.

Some of the guidelines for inclusive education of special needs students are:

• Construct a mandatory ramp on the ground floor for easy access for Children with Special Needs (CwSN)
• Maintain separate, accessible toilets for boys and girls with space for wheelchairs or walkers
• Schools must confirm which floors will host CwSN classes/practicals during affiliation
• Ensure well-maintained, levelled, slip-resistant surfaces from the gate to school buildings, playground, and toilets
• Entrances and doorways should be wide enough (1500-1800mm), with classrooms, toilets, and labs having a minimum door width of 900mm
• Avoid sharp turns, and keep walkways free from obstacles, with handrails at dangerous points and guard rails at changes in level
• Use bright, contrast-coloured tactile pavers at changes in slope and staircase points for better visibility
• Ensure all floor surfaces are non-slip and avoid loose gravel or cobblestones

Check out the CBSE notification for a complete list of all the guidelines.

RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FROM SCHOOLS

The CBSE issued these guidelines in response to numerous written requests from schools seeking to optimise their provisions for CwSN students.

By setting these standards, the board aims to ensure that all schools under its jurisdiction are equipped to support the holistic development of children with special needs.