PRASHAST: 72 Lakh Teachers get Training to Identify Disability in Students

Why in News?

The Ministry of Education has trained and sensitised over 72 lakh teachers and staff across more than 60,000 schools in India on inclusive education and disability identification through the PRASHAST digital platform. 

What is PRASHAST?

PRASHAST (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) is a school-based digital disability screening and orientation tool developed by NCERT.

• Coverage: Screens for probable conditions associated with the 21 disabilities recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 (including visual, hearing, speech, locomotor, specific learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and mental health conditions).
• Purpose: Helps identify children who may require further assessment and educational support, including those whose difficulties are not readily visible. Provides a common framework for recording observable indicators instead of relying solely on informal impressions.
• Languages & Access: The orientation module is available in 12 Indian languages via the official portal.
• Two-Part Screening Mechanism:
  • Part 1 (General Teachers): Observe and record everyday physical, sensory, behavioural and learning indicators using the screening checklist.
  • Part 2 (Special Educators): Validate teachers’ observations through second-level screening, tentatively categorise probable disability conditions and facilitate referrals for formal assessment where required. 

Referred children undergo appropriate assessment; authorised professionals and authorities remain responsible for diagnosis and disability certification.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016:

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted to fulfil India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified in 2007. 

• Disabilities: The Act increased the number of recognised disabilities from 7 to 21, adding conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, specific learning disabilities, and injuries suffered by acid attack victims, etc.
• Institutional Mechanisms: The Act provides for the establishment of: (i) Central Advisory Board on Disability and (ii) State Advisory Boards on Disability. These function as apex policy advisory and coordination bodies.
• Disability Certificate:
  • A person with not less than 40% of a specified disability, as certified by the competent authority, is considered a person with benchmark disability. Such persons become eligible for various statutory benefits and reservations under the Act.
  • The competent authority for issuing disability certificates is a duly constituted Medical Board notified by the Central Government or the respective State Government.
• Penalties and Enforcement: The Act prescribes penalties for offences against persons with disabilities, discrimination, and the violation of the provisions of the Act.
• Special Courts: State Governments are required to designate Special Courts in each district “as far as possible” for speedy trial of offences under the Act.

Rights and Entitlements under the RPwD Act: 

• Reservation Provisions: 
  • Higher Education: At least 5% reservation in government and government-aided higher educational institutions for persons with benchmark disabilities.
  • Government Employment: At least 4% reservation in government jobs for persons with benchmark disabilities.
  • Poverty Alleviation: At least 5% reservation/allocation in poverty alleviation and certain development schemes.
• Education Rights: Every child with a benchmark disability between 6 and 18 years has the right to free education in a neighbourhood school or special school of choice.
• Accessibility Provisions: The Act mandates the government to ensure accessibility in public buildings, transportation, information and communication systems, and services for persons with disabilities within a prescribed timeframe. The accessibility obligation applies primarily to public infrastructure, though certain provisions also extend to private entities providing public services. 

The PRASHAST initiative supports the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on equitable and inclusive education, particularly through teacher preparedness and support for children with disabilities.  

Prelims Practice MCQ:

Q. With reference to inclusive education and disability identification in India, consider the following statements regarding the PRASHAST initiative:

1. It is a school-based digital screening and orientation tool developed by the Ministry of Education to screen students for disabilities.
2. The screening tool is designed to identify probable conditions across all 21 categories of disabilities recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
3. The app relies exclusively on certified Special Educators for the primary baseline assessment and initial reporting of classroom indicators. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 

UPSC Mains PYQ 2022 

Q. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. 

UPSC Mains PYQ 2017 

Q. Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanisms for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in society? Discuss.