Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Stress on early detection of disabilities among children

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A four-day workshop for Headmasters of special schools held in the city recently highlighted the importance of early identification, diagnosis and intervention as effective means of integrating children with disabilities into mainstream society.

The workshop was organised by the State Institute of Educational Management and Training (SIEMAT). Forty Headmasters from various schools for the hearing and visually impaired who attended the meet suggested a medical screening of children below one for any possible deformities.

The suggestions were raised in the form of a report and submitted at the end of the programme, which witnessed intense deliberations by the participants. Senior-level officials from the Education Department, including James Varghese, secretary, General Education, and Mohammed Hanish, Director Public Instruction, took part.

Some of the other demands put forth by the participants included compulsory registration of special children below three years in their respective panchayats, elevation of special schools into resource centres, distribution of free digital hearing aids to children below six years with the assistance of the local bodies, constitution of a special cell at the directorate to respond to the needs of special schools and providing training to the parents of special children.

The participants also mooted setting up an academic council for special schools to monitor the various arts, cultural and sports activities in addition to teacher training and curriculum revision.

Officials of the National Institute of Speech and Hearing who attended the workshop assured the participants necessary assistance for starting a pre-school in all special schools apart from providing support to the hearing-impaired candidates in pursuing higher studies. The participants later visited the Government School for the Blind at Vazhuthacaud and interacted with the students and teachers.

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