Schools asked to make Divyang-friendly facilities: Javadekar

Mumbai, Sep 17 (PTI) The Centre will make a slew ofprovisions for Divyang students in the upcoming educationpolicy and has already asked schools to provide adequatefacilities to them, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said today. "We will make a lot of provisions for Divyang studentsacross the country in our upcoming new education policy. Wehave asked the management of schools to provide ramps inbuildings, make available separate toilets for them ormodify/upgrade the existing toilets and facilitate their easymovement on the premises," he said. Javadekar was talking to reporters on the sidelines of anevent where he met and interacted with over 100 visuallyimpaired girls at a city school. He said interaction with Divyang students was part ofBJP’s decision to celebrate September 17, the birthday ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi, as Sewa Diwas. "Our MPs, MLAs and other leaders decided to celebrate ourPrime Minister’s birthday as Sewa Diwas. Therefore, we decidedto reach out to Dalits and those oppressed andunderprivileged," he said. Javadekar was impressed with the training facilitiesavailable for students at the 116-year-old Kamla Mehta Schoolfor the Blind in Dadar. Lauding the efforts and aspirations of the girls andtheir teachers, the minister said, "What we all need is justcommitment and zeal to move ahead in our life. These girls area source of energy and inspiration." Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Rajkumar Badole,BJP MP from Beed Preetam Munde and officers from the office ofChief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities were presenton the occasion. Javadekar also briefly highlighted what the NDAgovernment was doing for the uplift of Divyangs (persons withdisabilities). "Our government has undertaken ‘Sugamya Bharat’initiative to achieve universal accessibility (ofinfrastructure) for Divyangs. "The government is providing needful support byappointing teachers for Divyang students. And now the needof the hour is to go for mapping of such students, bring themto schools and impart them with necessary skill sets." PTI APMRSYAARSDM