PANAJI
The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has issued a circular to schools to not deny admission to any Children with Disabilities (CwDs) citing the mandate under Section 16(i) of the Right of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
The circular has been issued with immediate effect following the recommendation of the Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The circular instructs the schools to facilitate the admission process for such students while lamenting that despite repeated instructions, there were instances of CwDs being denied admission. This prompted the department to issue this circular.
The circular also deleted the points related to vertical mobility, which stated that children adopting General Science or Modified Science would not be able to opt for Science in Standard XI, and children adopting New Maths Subject or Modified Maths would not be able to opt for Maths in Standard XI. These restrictions were creating roadblocks for students with disabilities to pursue their desired courses.
The Commission stressed that the circular issued by the Goa Board is aimed at providing an inclusive setup for students with disabilities.
“We welcome this move and appreciate the Goa Board for its sensitized approach towards the issue. This is a crucial step towards creating an inclusive learning environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all students, irrespective of their abilities. We hope that this circular will encourage schools to be more sensitive and accommodating towards students with disabilities and help them pursue their academic interests with dignity,” Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa said.
