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Lack of special educators in Puducherry

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION: Puducherry still lacks sufficient number of special educators to cater to the needs of special children.

PUDUCHERRY: For special children in Puducherry, the wait for special educators seems to continue. The absence of appropriate courses in special education and poor pay scales has left behind a scarcity of special educators in the Union Territory.

With a total of 13 special schools here, the need of the hour is special educators to help in the development of special children.

Only a few special schools have appointed special educators, while others manage with trained care givers and community rehabilitation workers.

“Only special educators can be proper teachers for special children especially for mentally challenged children. They will know the ability level of the children and carry out assessment. Every special school needs at least one special educator,” M. Sugathan of Saday Special School said. Apart from poor salary, the main drawback was the absence of an institution offering a course in special education here.

Special educators could have either completed a B.Ed in Special Education or a Diploma in special education (mental retardation). Recognition of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) was must for appointment of persons, he added.

In the 13 special schools, there were around six diploma holders, two B.Ed special educators, 10 care givers and 15 community rehabilitation workers involved.

“The work of special educators is demanding, unlike teachers in normal schools. People are not attracted to this field as they are not paid well. It is special educators who can plan individual education programmes for the children and set goals for functional academics,” Chitra Shah of Satya Special School said.

According to officials of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which emphasises on inclusive education, there were plans to engage special teachers in the resource centres to be established in the six Block Resource Centres in the Union Territory.

The Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry was exploring the possibilities of creating posts to appoint special educators, an official said, adding “private centres here are not able to afford to appoint special educators. On the other hand, trained persons prefer to go abroad owing to high demand and good salary.”

In fact, the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Mutukadu was interested in setting up a centre in Puducherry, on the basis of sharing of expenses, to train people, officials added.

“We need to look at intermediary solutions too. We can train care givers on different aspects. There is a scarcity of special educators across the country and the RCI is looking at short-term solutions. We can explore the possibility of starting a RCI approved course through District Institute of Education and Training,” an official said.

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