Right to free and compulsory education among children with special needs (CWSN): A case study of Delhi

This study examines the provisions made for children with special needs (CWSN) in the government schools and Kendriya Vidyalas and examine that are these provisions in conformity with the provisions made under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act) 2009. Since there is an absence of alternative data on the CWSN, this study used primary survey data which have been conducted in the Delhi capital region. In this survey, the purpose random sampling method has been used to select the schools in Delhi, and a structural questionnaire survey was used as a tool for data collection. The finding of this study suggests that the education of children with special needs (CWSN) shows a dark and gloomy picture in government schools. There are inadequate basic needs facilities and equipment for CWSN in the schools. This study also points out that there is a huge shortage of special educators in the schools which clearly indicates the violation of the RTE act 2009. Also, there are huge disparities among enrolment of CWSN children across the social group which indicate that CWSN children in India are facing double discrimination due to the hierarchical social order of society and as well due to their disabled identity. Further, it was found that teachers and special educators do have a moderately favourable attitude towards CWSN children.