Over 60,000 schools participate in inclusive education screening through PRASHAST

New Delhi, Oct 9 (INB) More than 60,000 schools across the country have participated in a nationwide screening initiative to sensitise school staff about inclusive education for children with special needs, with over 72 lakh teachers already covered under the programme, the Ministry of Education said. The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) organised the nationwide screening of a 30-minute Sensitization and Orientation Module on Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) through the PRASHAST portal, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Thursday.
The initiative aims to promote a whole-school approach to inclusion by helping teachers, special educators and non-teaching staff understand the needs of children with special needs and create safe, accessible and supportive school environments. The module uses practical examples and interactive activities to encourage respectful and appropriate practices. It is available in 12 Indian languages and is designed for school heads, teachers, special educators and non-teaching personnel, including transport staff, clerical workers, receptionists and wardens.
The ministry has been conducting continuous sensitisation of general teachers through PRASHAST over the past three months, with more than 72 lakh teachers already sensitised through the dedicated module, the statement said. PRASHAST is a school-based digital tool designed to help identify children with probable disabilities covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Its two-part checklist allows teachers to screen students based on observable indicators, while special educators validate cases and facilitate referrals for medical assessment wherever required. The ministry said participation in the nationwide screening had crossed 60,000 schools and was expected to increase further during the month.
Emphasising that inclusion is a shared responsibility, the initiative seeks to ensure that every interaction a child has at school, including in classrooms, offices and transport facilities, contributes to a supportive and inclusive learning environment, it added. The programme is part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen equitable and accessible education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and the RPwD Act, 2016. The module is available on the PRASHAST portal at prashast.education.gov.in/.