As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusive education, the Block Project Office at PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Campbell Bay, will conduct a comprehensive Identification and Assessment Camp on July 28, 2025. The event, set to begin at 9:30 am at the Block Resource Room for Children with Special Needs (CwSN), aims to evaluate children with suspected disabilities and extend support through educational and health-related schemes.
The camp is being organised under the Samagra Shiksha framework and is targeted at school-aged children across the Campbell Bay Block. The primary objective is to identify students with varying degrees of disabilities, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, and ensure they are brought within the formal support system through necessary documentation and aid distribution.
According to the guidelines issued for the camp, all participating children must carry essential documentation. This includes a Disability Certificate and UDID Card confirming at least 40% disability, both of which are mandatory for eligibility. Additionally, Aadhaar Card of the beneficiary, a recent Income Certificate issued within the last six months (for households earning no more than ₹22,500 per month), and two passport-size photographs are required. These documents are particularly relevant for enrolment under the NIRAMAYA health insurance scheme for children with disabilities. A photocopy of the family’s Ration Card or BPL Card is also necessary to qualify for NIRAMAYA benefits.
The camp is expected to provide multi-dimensional assistance. Apart from identifying new cases, it will also assess children already registered as CwSN to determine the need for educational aids and appliances. These may include hearing aids, mobility devices, or customised learning materials, all aimed at creating a more inclusive academic environment.
Officials associated with the initiative have indicated that the camp will play a dual role, first, in extending critical early support to children with special needs, and second, in updating existing records to ensure accuracy and continuity in service delivery. The process of identification and re-verification is vital in tracking developmental needs, guiding curriculum modifications, and enabling tailored intervention.
Through this outreach, the education department aims to eliminate barriers that often delay or prevent students with disabilities from accessing mainstream educational opportunities. These barriers can range from lack of identification and awareness to missing documentation or inadequate follow-up after a child is first assessed.
Teachers and school heads have been asked to share details of potentially eligible students in advance, helping streamline the process. Parents and guardians have also been urged to participate in the drive and bring all necessary documentation to avoid delays in processing applications and eligibility clearances.
The initiative is grounded in the principles of equity, accessibility, and continuity in learning, values central to the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. By hosting the camp within a school setting, the programme hopes to normalise conversations around disability and foster a more accepting academic culture.
In addition to assessment, the camp will serve as an information hub, helping parents understand the rights of CwSN under the Right to Education Act and the support available through government schemes. The process is also expected to feed into long-term planning by the Block Resource Centre, which is tasked with coordinating inclusive education efforts in the region.
The Campbell Bay event forms part of a wider push by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to improve disability inclusion in education. More such camps are expected to be rolled out across other blocks to ensure no child with special needs is left behind
