Higher disability among govt school children

HYDERABAD: Most of the children studying in government schools, particularly the Balajyothi schools, look normal, but about 11 per cent of them suffer from multiple disabilities.
In a survey conducted in 51 Balajyothi schools, as many as 6,591 children were screened. Of them, 10.76 per cent were found to suffer from distinct physical and psychological problems.The disabilities among the children have been classified as oro facial anomalies (25); ear discharge and aches (183), abnormal voice (131); misarticulation (26); children who stutter (60); delayed speech and language (38) and children found having distinctly different speech and language problem (124). About 50 children were found suffering from low eye vision, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and physical disability including polio.
The Hyderabad district runs as many as 168 Balajyothi schools in which about 22,000 children are enrolled. Mana Centre, a non-governmental organisation working in the area of disabled children, said the volunteers got repeated complaints from the teachers about the children’s problems. Following these complaints, Mana Centre had conducted a survey in September and October last year, and it was submitted to Hyderabad district collector in February 2002.
The report sought immediate help from the authorities for the children. “Most of the children are in the initial stages of disability who are called ‘risk children’. They need specific interventions to prevent them from becoming permanently disabled,� said secretary of Mana Centre, G Ravi Chandra Raju. According to him, the children need special counselling, aural education, and specific temporary aids that help children live on their own among others.
Speaking to The Times of India, district collector Rajeshwar Tiwari said special medical camps were being conducted regularly for the disabled, where irrespective of the age group, all are treated. With regard to special focus on children, the district administration proposes to take specific measures. “We got funds under different literary schemes with which we want to divert our attention to disability among children,� said Rajeshwar Tiwari.