Empowering the differently-abled

According to the The Ministry of Human Resource Development, the government plans to reimburse all the expenses incurred on books, uniform, and transport for children with disabilities in all the schools. Students react

Chirag, I, PGD in broadcast journalism, Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bengaluru

Uniforms and text books are different from what our focus should be on. The priority should be to motivate students to attend schools and provide amenities such as washrooms and lifts. These reimbursements become meaningless without such facilities. One ought to check the number of schools which are friendly toward differently-abled kids and work accordingly.

Yoshita, II, PGDM, Jaipura School of Business, Ghaziabad

Education is the real need of the specially-abled, and not compassion or pity. This is a welcome move by the government. For the country’s holistic development it is important that every section of the society is empowered, and education is the best means to provide empowerment. Easy access to education will certainly help improve the condition of people with special abilities.

Samarth Grover, II, M.A., English Literature, Ambedkar University, Delhi

The government should ensure that the rights of the specially-challenged are assured. A sheer one percent of all disabled children are able to attend school. The reimbursement of books, uniform and transport will be a step towards progress. This will boost the admission of children with disabilities from this academic session, which will improve the current scenario.

Nabiha Ilahi, I, convergent journalism, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi

While this seems to be a good move on the part of the government, it should take into consideration the other important aspects of the difficulties of differently-abled students. The government must make a holistic plan which must include proper infrastructure and special teaching amenities. This step will work as a stepping stone towards the welfare of the specially-abled.