GOOD NEWS - Enrolment of Educable MR children of Asha Kiran Home in mainstream school begins‏

GOOD NEWS -Enrolment of Educable MR children of Asha Kiran Home in mainstream school begins‏

 

Dear Friend,

Through my letter dated 04.11.2011 written to the Delhi Chief Secretary, I sought his immediate intervention in this matter relating to violation of right to education of as many as 392 mentally retarded children in the age group 5 to 18 years of Delhi Government run 'Asha Kiran Home' at Rohini, Delhi. It was submitted that "there is a mainstream government school situated just next to the Asha Kiran Home. We understand that 44 children (32boys + 12girls) found in Educable category during the assessment could be immediately sent to Government run mainstream school and so far as the remaining children were concerned, the same could progressively be mainstreamed after preparing them for the same. However, the entire process of mainstreaming these children has come to halt due to unwarranted controversy between the Education Department and the Social Welfare Department. It is not only unfortunate but also tantamount to criminal negligence".

After a story was carried by the Times of India on 07.11.2011, the Delhi Chief Secretary intervened in the matter and the Department of Social Welfare by letter dated 18.11.2011 agreed to send all these children out of the Asha Kiran Home to attend nearby mainstream school.

Today, during the telephonic conversation between Shri R.P.Yadav, Dy. Director of Education (M-9910890645) and myself, Shri Yadav has informed me that the process of admission of educable mentally retarded children in the mainstream school has started today as their application forms are being filled up and they are expected to attend the school from Monday, 23.01.2012. I appreciated the efforts of Shri R.P.Yadav, DDE in getting these mentally retarded children admitted in mainstream school. Attending mainstream school by these mentally retarded destitute children for the first time would a great experience for all these children whose right to education was hitherto violated with impunity by the Government itself. It is all the beginning anyway. We have to go a long way to ensure realization of right to education of the children with disabilities.

With regards,

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate

Advisor, Social Jurist

M-0981101923

21.01.2012