11k special children get Rs 2.8cr benefit from govt scheme

Panaji: Altogether, 11,166 special children in Goa studying in 30 special schools and in 74 resource rooms in regular schools are receiving aid under state govt’s scheme for education of children with special needs. During the academic year 2025-26, the state spent Rs 2.8 crore under the scheme. This coverage has improved significantly over a year, as in 2024-25, only 680 students received the aid, with state govt providing Rs 41 lakh in benefits.

Under the scheme, special children are provided aid such as speech therapist, physiotherapist, escort allowance, transportation allowance, aid for purchase of equipment etc.

An escort allowance is paid to the students with severe disability, to help the children study in resource rooms in regular schools, as part of an effort to push for more inclusive education in regular school set-up. An amount of Rs 11.3 lakh was spent and 194 students benefitted from this aid during 2025-26 up to Dec 2025, as per official data.

State govt also provides transport allowances for children with special needs with severe disability. An amount of Rs 7 lakh has been incurred benefitting 92 students during 2025-26, data shows.

Also, girl students with disabilities are provided stipend “to motivate them to continue their education helping in their retention in schools”. During the last academic year, the state aid of Rs 5 lakh was provided to 265 girls up to Dec 2025. Another 25 students received aids and appliances to improve their functioning and to act as an assistive service for improved productivity.

A grant-in-aid of Rs 15 crore was provided to Sanjay School, an autonomous society with 100% funding from the state, which has six schools under its control.