New Delhi: Reflections On Inclusive Schooling

Samuel is special. Not because he suffers from multiple disabilities and is physically challenged. But because he has risen above the hardships to emerge a healthy productive and contributing member of society. Things were however, pretty bleak in the beginning. His father, Virendra Mani, recalls how Samuel was kept in an incubator for observation for two weeks, right after his birth. Finally, on the 16th day, doctors told the Manis that their child was not normal, Dreams of having a healthy child were shattered but only for a moment. For it took them a few seconds to make a resolution: to live life to the fullest. Today, Samuel is 25, a B.Com graduate and an aspiring entrepreneur.

Life has, no doubt, been tough for Samuel: "I am physically challenged and suffer from a speech problem. I can't write and I am bound to my wheelchair," says Samuel. Surprisingly, it takes only a few minutes to get used to Samuel's strained speech. A diploma holder in computer science, Samuel today is striving hard to set up his computer firm. "I have two more engineers working with me as well as a few marketing executives. And I have yet to make a profit," he chuckles.

Samuel is one amongst many thousands of physically challenged people in the country. According to an WHO figure, 10 per cent of the Indian population is physically challenged; the Spastic Society quotes 70 million people with disabilities, out of which one in three are children and less than one per cent have access to education. A physically challenged child suffers from some degree of cerebral palsy and finds it difficult to control some or all his muscles. The disability is usually caused when some nerve cells do not work properly. Says Renu Singh, Director, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Spastic Society of Northern India. "Physically dysfunction is common. A few many suffer from visual or hearing impairment as well. But most of these kids are extremely bright and talented."

There are special schools and institutes that cater to their needs - the Spastic Society of Northern India (SSNI) being one of them. "Our institute helps them learn skills and vocations that would prove useful to them in earning a living and becoming independent." Says Singh. SSNI also tries to integrate disabled children into mainstream schools. Aruna Parashar was a student at SSNI till she gave her Class X exams. She moved on to join St. Mary's School but quit it mid-way to complete the rest of her education through correspondence. After brief stints as a receptionist at the SSNI, followed by secretarial work at an export house, Parashar today is working as Customer Service Executive at Intouch Solution, a call center.

Sumati Misra, Manager Projects, Intouch Solution recalls, "I remember when she walked in for the interview. We were screening agents who would handle outbound calls for Hutch (known as Essar then). So we were looking for people who were aggressive, spoke well and were also computer literate. Parashar did very well and made it on the strength of her merit."

There are a few schools in Delhi like St Mary's and Father Agnel that have inclusion programmes, apart from a few schools which have separate sections for special children. In fact, a special school based in Delhi is Tamanna, a voluntary and non-profit making society working since 1984 for the benefit of children with cerebral palsy. Inspired by her daughter Tamanna, who suffered from cerebral palsy, Shyama Chona, Principal, Delhi Public School, RK Puram, Delhi, founded this institute. Around 40 per cent of the handicapped children in Tamanna Special School are from poor families.

A report from the Rehabilitation Council of India estimates that there are 2,500 schools for one lakh physically challenged children. Says Singh, "We do not have any statistics from the Census that can confirm the right number of disabled in children. Moreover, there is an impregnable, attitudinal barrier against the disabled, which denies them access to society. These children should not be labeled 'spastics'. Why do we always isolate them, instead of making them part of the community."

Source: Originally published in 28th May, Hindustan Times, Megazine Section HT Horizons, 2003