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Before the Narendra Modi government in India, the word handicapped was used for disabled people. This condition can be mental or physical. On 27 December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 15th episode of his radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, had appealed to use the word ‘Divyang’ instead of ‘Disabled’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on the education of disabled children many times from the public platform. He believes that the disabled do not need sympathy, but to provide equal opportunities and right resources, so that they can prove their talent. But is it so?

According to the data given by NITI Aayog in its report ‘School Education System in India’, there is still scope for extensive improvement in primary education for disabled children. There are thousands of schools in the country where there is no separate ramp for disabled children instead of stairs. There is no special toilet for them, so that they can avoid inconveniences in school. This is the situation when ‘Disabled Persons Rights Act, 2016’ is in force in the country.

The National Education Policy 2020 has emphasized on inclusive education, with strict instructions given to make schools and colleges disabled friendly. PM Modi had also started ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’ in December 2015 in this connection. The Center has a clear instruction that there should be provision of ramps, special toilets and Braille indicators in schools and university buildings, so that disabled students do not face any problem.

What is the condition of schools for the disabled?

The basic facilities for children with disabilities or Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in the schools of the country are still very weak. According to the NITI Aayog report, in the year 2024-25, only 33.4 percent of schools have ‘special toilets’ (CwSN-friendly toilets) available for children with disabilities. About 66.6 percent schools still do not have this facility.

In most of the states of the country, the condition of separate toilets for disabled children is still very bad. In 32 states and union territories, less than 70 percent of schools have toilets available for these children. Of these, 7 states and union territories are below 10%, while 6 are between 10-20%.

There are almost no toilets for disabled children in these places. In some states the coverage is between 20-30 percent and 30-40 percent. Only 4 states and union territories have been able to reach above 60 percent. Although there have been improvements in some states, the national average is still very low and large regional differences remain.

Understand the condition of the states from the figures-

In which states are the conditions better?

99.2 percent of schools in Delhi have ramps for disabled children. 98.4 per cent schools in Dadra and Nagar Haveli-Daman and Diu, 97.2 per cent schools in Lakshadweep, 95.3 per cent schools in Odisha and 95.2 per cent schools in Chandigarh have ramp facilities. 94.0 percent schools in Maharashtra, 93.1 percent in Madhya Pradesh and 92.7 percent in Tamil Nadu are in better condition.

Which states have bad conditions?

Only 28.2 percent schools in Arunachal Pradesh have ramps. The condition of ramps is good in 32.8% schools in Meghalaya, 42.1% in Nagaland, 42.6% in Manipur, 44.4% in Mizoram and 44.5% in Sikkim. There are 45.4% such schools in Jammu and Kashmir, 63.6% in Tripura, 65.3% in Goa and 66.2% in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Basic accessibility for children with disabilities is still very weak in these states and union territories.

Earlier 7.5 percent schools in Sikkim were suitable for the disabled, now it has increased to 44.5 percent. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, schools have ramped up from 22.0% to 66.2%. Andhra Pradesh has shown percentage improvement from 32.5% to 88.8% and Telangana from 28.3% to 76.7%. A slight decline has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh, earlier 73.1% schools were in better condition, now it is 71.2 percent.

What is hope?

The data of Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2024-25 shows that in the year 2018-19, where only 16.64 percent schools had such toilets, by 2024-25 this figure has increased to 33.4 percent. There has been more than double improvement in 6 years, but still two-thirds of the schools are deprived of this basic facility.

Situation worsens in many states

In 32 states and union territories, less than 70 percent of schools have disabled-friendly toilets. In 7 states and union territories, less than 10 percent of schools have this facility. In 6 states, such toilets are between 10 to 20 percent.

Some states and union territories like Delhi, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman-Diu, Lakshadweep and Odisha are performing well, with coverage above 95 per cent. Many hilly and north-eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur are still far behind.

Where are the conditions better?

Ramps are available for disabled children but there is a need for improvement. In the year 2014-15, 59.77 percent schools had ramps, which has increased to 79.1 percent in 2024-25. Ramp facility in schools of Delhi is up to 99.2 percent, in Dadra-Nagar Haveli it is up to 98.4 percent. Up to 97.2 percent in Lakshadweep. Almost all schools in these areas have ramps. In many states, work is still needed on important aspects like the quality of ramps, handrails and slip-proof surfaces.

What does the report say?

The recent report of NITI Aayog and Ministry of Education states that under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, arrangements like Individual Education Plan (IEP), Special Educator, Assistive Device and teacher training are being made for disabled children. Physical infrastructure in schools is still a major hurdle. The report emphasizes that without basic facilities, it is difficult to include children with disabilities in mainstream education, which is becoming a hindrance for NEP 2020.