According to a press release, a total of 7,302 out-of-school children (OoSC) were identified as part of an initiative, of whom 2,106 were initially verified. Following the first phase of verification, 509 children were enrolled in schools and 263 in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), the release said.
Among them, 28 were children with disabilities and special needs requiring additional attention and specialised support. The support camp was attended by these 28 children and their parents. Welfare schemes, educational opportunities, rights, skill development avenues and rehabilitation assistance available to them were explained. Sign language assistance and spectacles for children with visual impairment were among the services provided, the release mentioned.
The meeting, chaired by Joint Commissioner (Education) K. Karpagam, addressed the educational, rehabilitation and support needs of such children. Individual counselling was provided to the children and their parents by psychologists based on their educational, family, psychosocial and support needs. Rehabilitation support, linkage to welfare schemes, re-enrolment in schools and follow-up monitoring based on individual needs were also discussed.
