A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today in New Delhi between the D/o Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), M/o Social Justice and Empowerment, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The event was presided over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

The primary objective of this collaboration is to establish a robust framework for promoting inclusive education for persons with disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This partnership marks a significant step towards creating an inclusive educational ecosystem that empowers persons with disabilities and promotes equitable learning opportunities across the country.

Under this agreement, NIOS will establish Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Disabled (SAIEDs), recognizing special schools run by NGOs funded under the DEPwD’s Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). These institutions will offer a range of educational programmes including Open Basic Education (Levels A, B, and C), Secondary, Senior Secondary, and vocational courses. NIOS will manage admissions, examination registration, distribution of self-learning materials (SLMs), and issuance of ID cards, hall tickets, and certificates. It will also ensure necessary accommodations and exemptions for students with disabilities during examinations. Further, NCERT will review and adapt curriculum and textbooks to ensure alignment with the principles and pedagogical approaches of NEP 2020, focusing on relevance, accessibility, and inclusivity for learners with disabilities.

Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Virendra Kumar stated that children with disabilities are full of potential, and when given the right platform, they can illuminate society with their talents. He emphasized that it has been the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that every child in the country should have equal access to education. This MoU is a strong step in that direction and the partnership affirms that inclusive education for children with disabilities is not merely an option but a right, he stated.

In his address, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the importance of education in shaping life and stated that NEP 2020 aims to ensure equal educational opportunities for all. He called upon society to become more aware and sensitive towards disability. For a just and inclusive society, empowerment of persons with disabilities is essential. Shri Pradhan noted the advancements in technology that now enable it to cater to the specific needs of persons with disabilities. He also spoke about ensuring accessible toilet facilities in schools and announced that in the coming year, in a mission mode, schools across states lacking accessible toilets will be equipped to ensure that no child drops out due to lack of basic infrastructure.

On this occasion, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary (DEPwD), stressed the importance of education in the lives of children with disabilities. He said that both the DEPwD and the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) are fully committed to this cause. It is encouraging to see children with disabilities studying science. Our vision is to see more and more students from this community enter premier institutes like IITs and IIMs. On Indian Sign Language, he appreciated NIOS for introducing sign language as a subject at the secondary level, which is a testament to the government’s commitment to building an inclusive society.

Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (DoSEL), said that the goal is to ensure every child with disability completes their school education. The NIOS, DEPwD, and NCERT are collectively working to bring transformational change in the lives of children with disabilities.

To ensure effective coordination and implementation, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising representatives from all three signatories of the MoU will be formed. The committee will monitor progress, oversee operational issues, and ensure timely achievement of the partnership's objectives.

*****

VM

Nios Press Release