The number of children with disabilities globally is estimated at almost 240 million, according to a new UNICEF report.  Fifteen per cent of the world’s population – at least one billion people – have some form of disability, whether present at birth or acquired later in life and nearly 240 million of them are children and are the world’s largest minority with various disabilities. This estimate is higher than previous figures and is based on a more meaningful and inclusive understanding of disability, which considers several domains of functioning, including those related to psychosocial well-being. This figure is increasing through population growth, medical advances and the ageing process, says the World Health Organization. (WHO). Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries, according to the UN Development Programme. Three-fourths of the children with disabilities at the age of five years and one-fourth between 5-19 years do not go to any educational institution. It said only 61 percent of CWSNs aged between 5 and 19 are attending educational institution.

According to UNESCO, India is home to 8 million children with disabilities, and 45% of them fail to attain literacy. The percentage of children attending schools is the lowest among those with multiple disabilities, mental illnesses, and mental retardation (more than 50% do not attend school). Lack of accessible physical infrastructure, assistive technologies, information and communication technology, and devices aggravates the situation of school dropout among disabled children. 47 per cent more likely to be out of primary school, 33 per cent more likely to be out of lower-secondary school and 27 per cent more likely to be out of upper secondary school.

Unified District Information System of Education (UDISE), India has prepared various comparative reports regarding the Children With Special Needs (CWSNs). Some of them are highlighted as below:-

Number of teachers trained in India to teach CWSNS in 2020-21:

                                                Male: 2,83 671    Female:  3,83,182            Total:  6,66,853

Highest number of teachers trained for CWSNs 20-21:                                                                                                                  Tamil Nadu: 1,87,000 followed by Karnatka:  1,25,000

Stastical data  Jammu & Kashmir

The above information revels that number of CWSNS enrolled in J&K during academic session 2020-21 is as under:

                Boys: 13,190       Girls:  9,546      Total:   22,736

                Class  Nur to  9th : 20,653              Class 10th : 1157       Class 11th & 12th :  936 

It is important to mention here that J&K is having only 08 schools for CWSNs with two Higher Secondary Institutions, one at Srinagar and other at Jammu. All the eight schools are Private Unaided.

Enrollment Districtwise in J&K

The above figures reveal:-

Enrolment of CWSNs in Kashmir Division:  13,689   , Higest in District Baramulla.

Enrolment of CWSNs in Kashmir Division:    9,047   , Higest in District Rajouri.

Teachers trained for CWSNs in J&K 20-21:       Male: 1745 Female: 1266 Total:   3011

Teachers trained for CWSNs in J&K 19-20:       Male: 1371 Female: 1003    Total:   2374

Point of Concern:

According the census 2011, the total population of CWSNs (with different types of disability) in J&K including Ladhak upto 18 years age, is 1,01,428 including male 56,336 and female 45,062.

Breakup:                                             

VI:  18080             HI:  21455             SI:  7605   Movement:  11982   MR: 5711  MI:  3566     Others:  21162    Multiple Disability:  11867

UDISE report for 2021 revels that only 22,736 CWSNs are enrolled in various schools in J&K so there is a gap of 78,692 CWSNs. The concern needs to be clarified.

(Author is a regular writer for this newspaper and served as Incharge (Principal)-Higher Sec Institution for Inclusive Education, Srinagar and can be reached at specialachivers78@gmail.com)