Why Keralam’s differently abled children are bearing the brunt of withheld Samagra Shiksha funds
Samagra Shiksha funds to Keralam have been withheld by Union government since 2023-24, affecting thousands of differently abled children adversely
Fourteen-year-old Krishnan, who is autistic and struggles with ADHD and epilepsy, attends a school where Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) sends special educators twice a week for therapy. His mother, Thankamani, earns only a small income from looking after other children's kids and has difficulty affording Krishnan's monthly ₹7,000 medication.
When Krishnan requires transportation, his mother takes an autorickshaw, a growing expense as the travel allowance from SSK has been withheld since 2023-24. Similarly, nine-year-old Anand, who has a locomotor disability, faces challenges as his family cannot afford daily commute costs. Even though SSK staff support Anand's education financially, his absences from school without payment are frequent.
The lack of funding hinders children's access to crucial therapies, leading to developmental setbacks. Assistive devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and crutches are also significantly impacted, with many awaiting maintenance or replacement. Despite sponsorships covering some equipment, there's a limit to how much assistance can be given.
The Union government's failure to release over ₹116 crore for inclusive education in 2025-26 and the need for a similar amount in 2026-27 exacerbates the situation. The SSK staff urgently urges the release of these funds to prevent further suffering among differently abled children.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
