CBSE Issues Revised Guidelines for Children with Special Needs (CwSN)

• 16 Aug 2024

CBSE Issues Revised Guidelines for Children with Special Needs (CwSN)

 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently issued updated guidelines for the accommodation of Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in schools affiliated with the Board. This move comes in response to numerous requests from schools and discussions among stakeholders aimed at optimizing provisions for CwSN students.

 

In its official notice, the CBSE has outlined several key requirements for ensuring that educational facilities are accessible and inclusive for all students. The revised guidelines emphasize the importance of creating barrier-free environments and include specific provisions related to ramps, signage, lifts, and toilets.

 

Key Provisions of the Revised Guidelines

 

1. Ramps and Accessibility: Schools must construct a proper ramp on the ground floor to ensure barrier-free access for CwSN students. If classes or practical sessions for CwSN students are held on floors other than the ground floor, schools are required to provide lifts or additional ramps to facilitate easy access to those floors.

 

2. Specialized Toilets: Separate, CwSN-compliant toilets for boys and girls must be maintained. These facilities should be spacious enough to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers and should be located on the ground floor or any other floor where classes for CwSN students are conducted. Additionally, all toilets must be equipped with fire alarms featuring both audio and visual signals.

 

3. Signage for Visual Impairments: For children with visual impairments, signage must include pictograms (male pictogram in a triangle and female pictogram in a circle) along with Braille and raised alphabets. These should be mounted on the wall next to the door near the latch side to assist with navigation.

 

The CBSE's revised guidelines are designed to ensure that all affiliated schools are equipped to provide a supportive and accessible environment for students with special needs. Schools seeking affiliation with the Board are also required to adhere to these updated provisions.

 

By implementing these measures, the CBSE aims to enhance the educational experience for CwSN students and ensure that they have equitable access to all school facilities.