Chandigarh, July 26 — In a landmark move aimed at promoting inclusive education and ensuring equal opportunities for all, the Chandigarh administration on Friday unveiled a comprehensive education policy tailored for children with special needs (CWSN), aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Unveiled at the Punjab Raj Bhavan, the policy introduces a slew of reforms to benefit over 3,100 children with benchmark disabilities currently enrolled in government schools across the Union Territory. The event was presided over by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.
“This policy is not just about opening school gates,” Kataria said at the launch. “It’s about unlocking the inherent talent and potential of every child. Chandigarh is proud to strengthen the spirit of equal opportunity and inclusion in education.”
Under the new policy framework, children with special needs will now receive free and compulsory education in government and aided schools until the age of 18—an extension from the previous limit of 14 years. Children unable to attend school due to the severity of their disabilities will be offered home-based education, with additional provisions such as transport allowances and support services.
One of the key highlights of the policy is the provision for a 3% reservation for CWSN within the existing 25% quota reserved for the economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. This mandate will apply to both government and private recognised schools in the city.
The policy mandates inclusive classroom infrastructure, requiring schools to employ trained special educators, implement adapted curricula, and provide accessible learning materials such as Braille, large print textbooks, sign language resources, and customised evaluation systems.
In recognition of the varying needs of children with different levels of disability, the policy also aims to strengthen linkages with special schools and integrated education centres. From Class 9 onwards, vocational and skill development training will be introduced to enhance self-reliance among students with special needs.
Further, the number of government schools equipped with Special Resource Centres—offering therapies, parent counselling, functional academics, and assessments—has been increased from five to 20 under this initiative.
“This is not just a policy on paper,” said Education Secretary Prerna Puri. “It is a structured, accountable, and inclusive framework that will transform how schools support children with special needs.”
To monitor the implementation and ensure accountability, each school will have a grievance redress committee, and a state-level monitoring committee has been established to oversee progress.
The policy is also expected to set a precedent for private schools in the city, many of which will now be obligated to align their practices with the new standards.
The policy was developed following directives issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2017 and 2019, reinforcing the constitutional and legal obligation to uphold inclusive education.
Also present at the launch were UT Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, Principal Secretary to the Governor Vivek Pratap Singh, and Director of School Education Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar.
In a further boost to inclusion, the administration announced state-level sports competitions for CWSN in collaboration with the Department of Sports, aiming to foster participation and confidence beyond the classroom.
