PONDICHERRY: Chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) P. Venkataramiah on Saturday said the `Education for All' (EFA) movement was inclusive of children with disabilities. Educating them in mainstream programmes was vital to achieving the EFA target.

Inaugurating the seventh national conference on `Integral Education,' organised by the Pondicherry Psychology Association here, he said national and international documents on education highlighted the importance of inclusive education. Some educators felt that context-specific models had to be prescribed for disabled children. Were they to be included in mainstream, pre-service teachers must get an overview of education of such children, their learning characteristics, instructional strategies and evaluation procedures. The Sarva Sikshan Abhiyan was a great opportunity to reach these children.

Preparing the teachers

At present, the teacher preparation programme of special education was looked after by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), while NCTE looked after the programme for general education. In order to integrate the disabled children with the mainstream, the general education programme must have some component of special education.

A joint committee of NCTE and RCI was set up with experts on both streams to suggest Integral modifications in the general education programme. Once the report, now being finalised, was adopted, there would be a meaningful attempt for adaptation of integral education. Globalisation had brought interdependence of nations, which was forcing fundamental changes in structure and goals of mass education.

Prof. Venkataramiah said education was essential for the wholesome development of individuals.

It should be based on total human and global situations.

Panch Ramalingam, president, Psychology Association, presided. Mamota Das, Director, UGC Academic Staff College, welcomed the delegates.

EDUSAT phase

Justice David Annousamy, former judge of the Madras High Court, said the system of integral education was a futuristic concept.

The progress and development of educational concepts started in the 16th century and had now entered the `EDUSAT' phase. It was a new pedagogical experiment.

Teachers would not be dispensed with in EDUSAT, as they would continue to be guides and facilitators.

He underlined the need to promote listening and reading skills. Expansion of education was another benefit of EDUSAT.

A Gnanam, former Chairman of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, said integral education should comprise knowledge, communication, learning and other associated skills.

Educational psychology should be integrated with society and its happenings. Making the students learn and gain knowledge and develop communication skills should be the objectives of integral education.

J. Arawindhan, chairman of Achariya Educational Public Trust, Pondicherry, and Ratna Natarajan from Tirupatur, both academics, were presented awards.

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