For education of CWSN (Children With Special Needs), the concept of Inclusive Education as laid down in SSA was based upon
Multi-Option Model
Understanding Inclusive Education for CWSN under SSA
The question asks about the concept behind the education of Children With Special Needs (CWSN) as part of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) framework.
What is Inclusive Education?
Inclusive Education means educating children with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities in regular schools. The goal is to create a learning environment where all students, regardless of their abilities or challenges, feel welcome and can learn effectively.
SSA and Education for CWSN
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), launched in India, aimed at universalizing elementary education. A key focus of SSA was the education of Children With Special Needs (CWSN). SSA adopted a specific approach to ensure these children received education.
Analyzing the Models
Let's look at the options provided and understand their relevance:
- Integration Model: This model often involves placing children with disabilities in regular schools, but the support systems might be limited, or the child might still be expected to adapt significantly to the existing school environment. It's a step towards inclusion but may not provide the full range of necessary support.
- Medical Model: This model views disability as a medical problem inherent in the individual. The focus is on diagnosis, treatment, and 'fixing' the individual to fit into society. This is generally not the basis for modern educational approaches, which tend towards social models of disability.
- Multi-Option Model: This model suggests providing a range of educational options for CWSN based on their specific needs and the severity of their disability. These options can include:
- Placement in regular schools with necessary support (e.g., resource teachers, aids).
- Education in special classes within a regular school.
- Education in special schools for children with severe disabilities.
- Home-based education for children who cannot attend school.
- Using resource rooms within regular schools.
- International Model: This is a very general term and doesn't refer to a specific, distinct model of education for CWSN adopted by SSA. While SSA's policies were informed by international best practices and conventions (like the Salamanca Statement), the specific concept operationalized for providing education was based on offering multiple choices.
Based on the SSA guidelines and implementation strategies for CWSN education, the approach was to offer diverse avenues for learning, recognizing that the needs vary significantly. This aligns directly with the concept of a Multi-Option Model.
| Model | Description | Relevance to SSA for CWSN |
|---|---|---|
| Integration Model | Placing children with disabilities in regular schools, sometimes with limited support. | A step towards inclusion, but not the comprehensive framework used by SSA. |
| Medical Model | Views disability as an individual medical problem to be fixed. | Not the guiding philosophy for educational inclusion under SSA. |
| Multi-Option Model | Offers a range of educational settings based on individual needs (regular school, resource room, home-based, etc.). | This was the core concept adopted by SSA for CWSN education. |
| International Model | A general term, not a specific model implemented by SSA. | SSA was influenced by international ideas but implemented a specific domestic model. |
Therefore, the concept of Inclusive Education for CWSN as laid down in SSA was based upon the Multi-Option Model, providing flexibility in educational settings to meet diverse needs.
Revision Table: Key Concepts in CWSN Education under SSA
| Term | Meaning in SSA Context |
|---|---|
| CWSN | Children With Special Needs (Children with disabilities). |
| SSA | Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Indian government program for universal elementary education). |
| Inclusive Education | Educating CWSN alongside non-disabled peers in regular settings where possible. |
| Multi-Option Model | Providing varied educational settings (regular school, resource room, special school, home-based) based on individual CWSN needs. |
Additional Information: Evolution of CWSN Education in India
India's approach to educating children with disabilities has evolved over time. Initially, the focus was often on segregation in special schools. Policies like the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, and subsequently SSA, pushed towards integrating and including CWSN in mainstream education. The Multi-Option Model under SSA was a practical approach to achieve inclusion by offering flexibility and support mechanisms within the existing education system. Later initiatives, like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (which subsumed SSA), have further strengthened the commitment to inclusive education, emphasizing a rights-based approach and greater accessibility and support.
Important Questions from Inclusive Education
Which of the following is ‘not’ expected from the point view of successful inclusive education ?
The IEDC (Integrated Education for the Disabled) was first launched during:
Which of the following is a benefit of inclusion for students without S.E.N.?
I. May serve as peer tutors during interactional activities.
II. To learn to communicate and deal effectively with a wide range of individuals.
III. Chance to learn about many human device professions.
If a child is exposed to frequent rejections, punishment and teasing by the parents and teachers, usually it may lead to
______ can be cured by rising on the toe, climbing stairs on the toes, rope skipping and cycling.
