Archive · 4 Oct 2026
NTR District Education Officials Urged to Identify Children Early
Education officials in NTR district discussed how to help children with special needs.
District Education Officer L. Chandrakala said teachers should identify children early.
She asked teachers to use an app made by NCERT to screen children and keep track of the process.
Children identified should be enrolled in school and encouraged to attend regularly.
Officials from different departments should work together to provide education, medical care and rehabilitation.
An official said more than 2,351 children with special needs had been identified in the district.
Bhavitha Centres provide services such as physiotherapy and speech therapy.
The government also offers several allowances to support children and families.
NTR District Education Officer L. Chandrakala urged early identification of children with special needs and equal access to education.
At a Vijayawada training programme, she asked teachers to screen every child using NCERT’s Prashasta app and monitor progress.
Officials were told to enrol identified children and encourage regular attendance, coordinating education, medical, rehabilitation and other support.
Samagra Shiksha official R. Ramesh Babu said more than 2,351 children with special needs had been identified in NTR district.
The district provides services through Bhavitha Centres and allowances including Rs 6,000 for transport, home-based education and escorts, and Rs 2,000 for girls.
- Who
- NTR District Education Officer L. Chandrakala, education officials and staff supporting children with special needs.
- What
- Officials held a training and awareness programme on identifying children with special needs, education and available government support.
- When
- Saturday; no calendar date was stated.
- Where
- CVR Municipal High School, Vijayawada, NTR district.
- Why
- To identify children early and help them access education and related support services.
Programme priorities
Implementation needs
Early screening and school access
Programme priorities
Chandrakala urged teachers to identify children early through the Prashasta app, enrol them and support regular attendance.
Implementation needs
The article does not report a contrary view; it describes this as an instruction to officials and teachers.
Coordinated support
Programme priorities
Chandrakala called for departments to coordinate education, medical care, rehabilitation and other services.
Implementation needs
The article gives no opposing position, but notes that officials were asked to monitor screening and service delivery.
- District Education Officer
- L. Chandrakala
- Screening tool
- Prashasta app, developed by NCERT
- Children identified
- More than 2,351 in NTR district
- Bhavitha Centre services
- Around 20 children receive various services at each centre; physiotherapy and speech therapy are provided.
- Autism centres
- Steps were being taken to establish one for every five municipalities.
- Allowances cited
- Rs 6,000 each for transport, home-based education and escort allowances; Rs 2,000 stipend for girls.
- Disability law
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognises 21 types of disabilities, according to an official at the programme.