Last year, a few organisations came forward to create a testing tool for assessment of learning disability (LD) in Urdu medium schools. However, lack of funds seems to have delayed the process, claims the Urdu Headmasters Association (UHA).
Last year, a few organisations came forward to create a testing tool for assessment of learning disability (LD) in Urdu medium schools. However, lack of funds seems to have delayed the process, claims the Urdu Headmasters Association (UHA).
According to a recent study, more than 13 lakh students study in Maharashtra, across primary, secondary and higher secondary education. However, unlike that in English, Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati medium schools, there is no testing tool for the assessment of LD in Urdu medium schools where students can avail of LD certificates for concessions during exams.
Najma Kazi, president of the UHA said: "Last year, most of the organisations showed interest in making a testing tool for the students (of Urdu medium schools), but lack of funds has delayed the process."
Dr Harish Shetty, senior psychiatrist, said that the state should take a 'proactive step' to facilitate and help evolve tests for LD in Urdu speaking children.
"It is not the responsibility of the Urdu schools to find money for the tests. Philanthropists and NGOs need to pitch in so that thousands of poor children can benefit. The SNDT department of special education has a plan in place to evolve the tests," he added.
Deepti Kanade-Modak, clinical psychologist, in-charge, New Horizons Health and Research Foundation, expressed her foundation's interest in taking up the cause. "Development of any assessment battery requires developing norms on a representative sample of the student population. This includes a long process of training of manpower, and conducting assessments on children from grades 1 to 10," she said, adding that it would need funding support.
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