Over 700 special teachers in Tamil Nadu seek regularization

In Tamil Nadu, temporary special educators have filed a petition with the Madras High Court. They are asking the state to create regular posts for special teachers to support 130,000 special children in schools. The educators want the state to follow the recommended teacher-pupil ratios set by the Rehabilitation Council of India. This includes 1 special teacher for every 10 primary school students and 1 for every 15 middle and secondary school students. Justice C.V. Karthikeyan accepted the petition on Tuesday and asked the state government to respond by April 21. Advocate Kavitha Rameshwar, representing 723 contract teachers, noted that there are no sanctioned posts for special teachers in the 22 government-run special schools. She highlighted that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Samagra Shiksha programs promote inclusive education, allowing special children to learn alongside their able-bodied peers. Rameshwar stated that, according to guidelines, Tamil Nadu needs to have 13,000 regular posts for special teachers to properly support these students. Additionally, a recent Supreme Court ruling mandated that states must create new posts and regularize the positions of all contract special teachers.