Centre Signs Landmark Tripartite MoU to Promote Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities

New Delhi: In a significant move towards building an inclusive educational ecosystem in India, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today in the national capital between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

The MoU aims to provide equitable and accessible education to children with disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The event was presided over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar and Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

Under this collaboration, NIOS will recognize Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Disabled (SAIEDs), specifically special schools run by NGOs funded under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). These institutions will provide various educational programmes, including Open Basic Education (Levels A, B, and C), Secondary, Senior Secondary, and Vocational Courses.

NIOS will manage key functions such as student admissions, exam registrations, self-learning material distribution, and issuance of identity documents and certificates. It will also ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations and exemptions during examinations.

Simultaneously, NCERT will undertake curriculum review and textbook adaptation to make educational content more inclusive, accessible, and relevant, following NEP 2020 guidelines.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Virendra Kumar underscored that children with disabilities possess immense potential and deserve equal educational opportunities. “It has been the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that every child, regardless of ability, should have access to quality education. This MoU is a strong step toward that vision,” he said, adding that inclusive education is a right, not an option.

Dharmendra Pradhan echoed the sentiment, stating that NEP 2020 is a transformative blueprint for equitable education. “For a just and inclusive society, the empowerment of persons with disabilities is non-negotiable,” he said, urging greater societal sensitivity towards the needs of this community.

He also announced that schools across India lacking accessible toilet facilities will be equipped in a mission-mode over the next year to prevent dropouts caused by infrastructure gaps.

Highlighting the government’s commitment, Secretary (DEPwD) Rajesh Aggarwal praised NIOS for introducing Indian Sign Language as a subject at the secondary level. He also expressed hope that more children with disabilities would pursue science and gain admission to premier institutions like IITs and IIMs.

Secretary (DoSEL) Sanjay Kumar reaffirmed the goal of ensuring that every child with a disability completes school education. He described the MoU as a catalyst for transformational change, made possible by the coordinated efforts of NIOS, DEPwD, and NCERT.

To ensure the smooth implementation of this partnership, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) will be constituted, comprising representatives from all three institutions. The committee will oversee execution, monitor progress, and address operational challenges.