Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 21: The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for all special schools catering to children with intellectual disabilities to follow a common curriculum and assessment system, a move aimed at standardising education quality across the state. The decision applies to over 500 such schools and was formalised through a government resolution (GR) issued on Friday.

The initiative seeks to ensure structured teaching, consistent Individualised Education Programmes (IEPs), and regular tracking of students’ progress. A key feature of the policy is compulsory parental participation in developing education plans, with the goal of supporting the overall development and long-term independence of children with intellectual disabilities. With this step, Maharashtra has become one of the first states in India to mandate a uniform framework for special education.

Issued by the Persons with Disabilities Welfare Department, the GR directs schools to adopt the Disha Abhiyan curriculum. The programme was jointly introduced six years ago by the Jai Vakeel Foundation and the state commissionerate for disability welfare. It has since received certification from the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and formal validation from the department. The resolution also warns of penalties for non-compliance, including withdrawal of grants and cancellation of school registrations.

Department secretary Tukaram Mundhe said the policy is intended to bring clarity, accountability, and measurable outcomes to special education. He explained that students will undergo assessments at the start of every academic year, after which personalised academic and therapeutic goals will be set. Progress will be monitored throughout the year to ensure effective implementation.

Mundhe also highlighted the government’s focus on involving at least one parent during the planning stage of IEPs. Parents will receive regular updates on their child’s progress through a digital portal. He said the approach is designed not only to improve academic learning but also to enhance daily life skills and functional independence among students, adding that the initiative could serve as a model for other states.

Under the new guidelines, all special schools will be integrated into the Disha digital portal by government officials. IEPs must be developed in consultation with parents, guardians, therapists, and teachers, with clearly defined goals for both school and home environments. For existing students, the process must be completed within one month of the academic year’s start, while new admissions will be given up to two months. Individualised Therapeutic Plans, covering services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, will be based on detailed assessments of each student’s needs, including social and behavioural development.

Welcoming the move, Rekha Vijayakar, senior director of school operations, training, and pedagogy at ADAPT, said standardisation in special school curricula is long overdue. However, she stressed that the government must also strengthen inclusive education in mainstream schools. Despite inclusive education policies being in place for years, she noted that many schools remain unprepared due to a lack of trained teachers. Emphasising that every child learns differently, she said inclusive classrooms can only succeed when educators are equipped to address diverse learning needs.