Disabled students deprived of facilities

Mancherial: Central and State governments claim of releasing crores of rupees for the benefit of disabled students, which constitute three per cent of the total students in Telangana State. But in reality they are deprived of any facility, treatment to their disabilities due to the negligence of the governments, it was alleged.

A survey by Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) taken up this year found out that thousands of these students have disability. Yet the two governments have shirked away from their responsibilities like appointing teachers, without bothering the students’ health issues.

Only two education resource teachers were appointed for 18 mandals in Mancherial district. They have to teach students at SSA schools from Monday to Friday.

If the students are unable to walk and cannot attend school, then these teachers have to teach them at their houses. With hundreds of disabled students, the number of teachers is inadequate.

At least four teachers are required per each mandal to cover all such students.One physiotherapist was appointed for three mandals against the rule of one per each mandal.

Thus making the students to have health issues as the therapists were not treating them, the parents alleged. A few families, who can afford, are going to private hospitals for getting physiotherapy done to their wards.

The poor students are forced to remain confined to bed, deteriorating their health further.Against the requirement of 18 therapists across the State, only four have been appointed so far.

Although the SSA is getting crores of rupees funds from the Centre, the State is allegedly diverting them other departments. In another setback to the students, although they have been identified as the Sadaram camps, students were not given disability certificate and also treatment facilities. Denial of the certificates is depriving them of the benefits of the government welfare schemes.