Tripartite MoU signed to promote inclusive education for persons with disabilities –

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed today in New Delhi between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The MoU aims to promote inclusive education for persons with disabilities. The signing ceremony was presided over by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and the Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan. The primary objective of this collaboration is to establish a robust framework for promoting inclusive education for persons with disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This partnership marks a significant step towards creating an inclusive educational ecosystem that empowers persons with disabilities and promotes equitable learning opportunities across the country. Under this agreement, NIOS will establish Special Accredited Institutions for the Education of the Disabled learners, recognizing special schools run by NGOs funded under Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme. Further, NCERT will review and adapt the curriculum and textbooks to ensure alignment with the principles and pedagogical approaches of NEP 2020, focusing on relevance, accessibility, and inclusivity for learners with disabilities.