Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched a statewide crackdown on unauthorised educational facilities for children with disabilities, ordering an immediate survey of all Special Schools operating without official permission or recognition from the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD).
In an official directive issued by the Department, the state has mandated that all such institutions run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must immediately apply for official recognition or face closure.
In an official letter, Additional Secretary Bhaskar Raito, OAS, has directed all District Social Security Officers (DSSOs) to carry out a thorough survey within their jurisdictions to locate such institutions. The move aims to bring every Special School under the regulatory framework of the government and ensure full compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, along with existing state guidelines. Once identified, the managements of these unapproved schools will be instructed to submit formal applications for permission and recognition, complete with all necessary documents. District officers have also been asked to ensure that these institutions obtain the required approvals to continue their operations legally.
The department has emphasised the need for uniformity in standards for the education and welfare of children with disabilities. As part of the enforcement drive, district officers are required to compile and submit detailed reports, including the name and address of each unapproved Special School, the name of the managing NGO, and the status of their applications, to the SSEPD Department, allowing the state government to closely monitor compliance and determine further legal or administrative action.