The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The agreement aims to foster inclusive, equitable, and quality education for children and youth with disabilities, in line with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
DEPwD will provide policy support, funding, and capacity-building initiatives to facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream education system. NIOS will offer flexible learning options and design customized course content in accessible formats such as Braille, Indian Sign Language (ISL), and audio books. It will also facilitate inclusive examination systems.
NCERT will integrate inclusive principles into curriculum development, revise textbooks accordingly, and create training modules to sensitize and empower schoolteachers across the country. The tripartite agreement is expected to pave the way for more inclusive policies, teacher empowerment, and innovative educational content, thereby creating a more supportive ecosystem for learners with disabilities across the country. This is a significant move towards strengthening inclusive education in India.