New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended that UGC and CBSE put in place monitoring mechanisms to ensure that universities and affiliated schools provide facilities such as ramps, wheelchairs and accessible toilets for students with disabilities.
In two separate orders, Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi invoked Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005, to recommend measures for ensuring compliance with disability-related provisions in educational institutions.
The recommendations followed appeals filed by an applicant who had complained about the lack of basic accessibility infrastructure in educational institutions in Bihar.
In the appeal concerning the University Grants Commission (UGC), the applicant had sought inquiry reports and details of action taken on a complaint regarding the absence of facilities for persons with disabilities in colleges affiliated with Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University.
The university informed the CIC that ramps had been constructed to facilitate access to its administrative building and important departments, while construction of separate accessible toilets for male and female persons with disabilities was underway.
It also said that all constituent and affiliated colleges had been directed to ensure facilities such as ramps with handrails, accessible toilets, lifts wherever required, designated parking, suitable library facilities and wheelchairs. Colleges were subsequently asked to submit the actual status of these facilities.
The CIC recommended that the UGC issue appropriate guidelines for barrier-free access in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and ensure strict compliance by approved universities.
In the separate appeal concerning the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the applicant had sought details of action taken on complaints regarding accessibility facilities in private and public schools in Bihar and Delhi-NCR.
The CBSE told the CIC that it had issued mandatory guidelines to all affiliated schools concerning provisions for children with special needs.
The CIC recommended that the CBSE issue necessary directions to affiliated schools and establish a monitoring mechanism to ensure strict implementation of its guidelines, so that no eligible child is deprived of prescribed facilities and support.
In both cases, the CEC found the replies furnished by the respective public information officers appropriate under the RTI Act but stressed the larger public interest involved in protecting the educational rights of children with special needs. PTI MHS RT
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