Guidelines for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) provisions for existing Schools and Schools seeking affiliation with the Board

Guidelines for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) provisions for  existing Schools and Schools seeking affiliation with the Board

No. CBSE/AFF/2023

To,

All the Heads & Managers of the Schools

It is being re-iterated that the Board has incorporated in Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018 under Rule No. 4.7.3 that “the school shall provide proper facilities like, ramps in toilets and at entry/exit points for wheelchair users and auditory signals in elevators / lifts and other possible infrastructural facilities in accordance with the provisions laid down in RPWD Act- 2016.” and under Rule 14.5.2. “School shall promote inclusion of student with special needs in the normal school as per provisions of the Rehabilitation of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 and in conformity with the National; Policy of Education.”

Inclusive Education is also an important component under Samagra Shiksha Scheme which lays emphasis on improving quality of education for all students, including Children with Special Needs (CwSN). The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reiterates the need for barrier-free access to children with special needs for providing equitable educational opportunities.

However it has been noticed that the schools are not adhering with the provisions of Affiliation Bye- Laws of the Board in regard of the infrastructural facilities like ramps/lift, CwSN facilities in toilets etc. Some schools have built the ramp only at entry/exit points or ground floor while there are many educational activities like laboratories, library and other co-curricular activities conducted on different floors of school building. Due to non-availability of ramp / lift facility on all floors of school building, these activities are not accessible to the students with special needs.

It is therefore imperative that provisions for all children to attend schools are created and efforts are made to identify and remove barriers. It is equally important to safeguard the rights of children with special needs if the goal of ‘Education for All’ is to be achieved. The Board has emphasized the promotion of Inclusive Education in schools. Inclusive education setup refers to equitable and non- discriminatory arrangement where each child is valued, accepted and respected.

Hence, all CBSE affiliated schools and the schools seeking affiliation with the Board are advised to comply with the Children with Special Needs (CwSN) guidelines as per Annexure A.

(Anurag Tripathi)
Secretary

Distribution:-

1. All Managers/ Principals of Independent category schools Affiliated to CBSE.

2. The   Commissioner,   Kendriya   Vidyalaya   Sangathan,   18   Institutional   Area,   Shaheed   Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi 110016.

3. The Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalya Samiti, B-15, Institutional Area, Sector 62, Noida 201307, District Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

4. Director of Education Delhi, Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Port Blair

5. Directors of Secondary Education, Departments of all States

6. Director, Central Tibetan School Administration, Ess Ess Plaza, Community Centre,Sector- 3, Rohini, Delhi 110085.

7. Deputy Secretary to Chairperson, CBSE for kind information to the Chairperson.

8. CVO/All HODs/Regional Directors/Director (M&PR) of the Board.

9. All the Regional Officers/ CoE Heads of CBSE.

10. Joint   Secretary   (IT),   CBSE,   Preet   Vihar,   Delhi   92   with   a   request   to   disseminate   the information further.

11. Joint Secretary (Co-ordination Unit), CBSE.

 

Guidelines

 

Annexure A

• A proper lift / ramp should be constructed to access all the floors of school building.
• Separate CwSN toilets for girls and boys should be maintained at every floor of school building.
• Approach to the school should be well maintained and leveled surface should be provided.
• Paved flooring provides comfortable access to all students and teachers and benefit children and adults with disabilities. 
• The surfaces should be firm and even, with a finish which is slip resistant in all weather conditions.
• Any kerbs(raised path) in the route should have appropriate drop kerbs to allow access to a wheelchair.
• The path from the gate to the school buildings, playground and toilet must be clear, firm, leveled and regularly maintained.
• Main entrances and doorways in the school buildings should be 1500-1800mm wide.
• Classrooms, toilets, labs etc should have clear door width of 900mm minimum.
• Sharp turns in the walkways should be avoided. 
• The  walkway  must  be  clear  of  any  hung  and  protruding obstructions  such  as windows, lights, low branches, flowerpots and signposts etc.
• A handrail should be provided at any dangerous point in the walkway.
• Guard rails are a must in situations where there is a sudden change in the level including stairs and verandah.
• The  ends  of  the  handrails  should  be  rounded  off/  grouted in  the  ground  (bent downwards) to avoid injury.
• The height and width of steps should be equal (riser and tread).
• Bright & contrast colour tactile pavers (preferably yellow) should be used at every change in slope, at the beginning and ending of a staircase for easy recognition and at turnings.
• All floor surfaces should be non-slip/ anti-skid/ matt finish and any loose gravel or cobblestones should be avoided.

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