CHENNAI: About 400 day care centres will soon be set up under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme for students with high level of disability at Block Resource Centres functional in 412 blocks across the State.

In a move to integrate children with special needs with their counterparts in mainstream schools, the Centre launched the Integrated Education of Disabled (IED) programme in 1974. It was later made a component of the SSA programme. An SSA official said a special educator would monitor the students' progress in each centre and would be assisted by a helper.

Services of special educators from non-governmental organisations will be availed of, as was done during the implementation of the IED programme.

Inclusive education will continue to be the primary focus of the programme. However, special attention will be given to students with severe disability.

The centres will have equipment to stimulate sensory organs, aids and appliance to facilitate learning.

A sum of Rs. 36,000 has been allocated for each centre. This would cover the salaries of special educator (Rs. 3,000), helper (Rs. 600) and provide Rs. 900 to cover travel expenses of the student and the escort. The programme will be conducted for eight months. The centres will cover 4,000 children.

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