Politics · India Bureau
Kerala's special needs students suffer as Centre withholds education funds
Thousands of differently abled children in Kerala face educational disruptions as the Union government has suspended Samagra Shiksha allocations since the 2023-24 financial year. The funding freeze has created severe resource constraints for schools serving students with disabilities across the state.
LSN India ·
Kerala's special education sector is facing a deepening crisis as centrally-funded programmes remain blocked, leaving schools struggling to support children with disabilities. The Samagra Shiksha scheme, a comprehensive education initiative covering elementary and secondary education, has seen its Kerala allocation withheld for over a year, creating acute shortages of teaching materials, therapeutic support, and adaptive infrastructure.
Differently abled students have been disproportionately affected by the funding suspension. Schools report depleted resources for specialized teaching aids, assistive devices, and trained instructors required for inclusive education. State-run and aided institutions serving these vulnerable populations have been forced to curtail programmes and redirect limited budgets from developmental activities.
The education sector in Kerala has raised concerns about the long-term impact on student outcomes and institutional capacity. With no clarity on fund release timelines, schools continue operating under fiscal constraints that compromise their ability to deliver quality inclusive education. Education officials have indicated that the suspension contradicts national commitments to universal primary education and disability-inclusive schooling frameworks.
The standoff between the state and Centre over fund disbursement remains unresolved, leaving administrators uncertain about resumption schedules. Meanwhile, students with learning disabilities, physical impairments, and developmental disorders face educational disadvantages as schools operate with skeletal resources.