Including Children with Hearing Impairment in the Mainstream School Education

Inclusive education facilitates just and equitable society. Among children with special needs, those with Hearing Impairments (HIs) often encounter unique challenges that limit their access to quality education. In India, according to the 2011 Census, there are approximately 18.9 lakh persons with HI, a figure that continues to rise. Despite policy advancements, many Children with His (CwHI) still face significant barriers related to communication, curriculum accessibility, classroom engagement, and social inclusion.

To address these gaps, the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT, in collaboration with the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysore, has developed a five-day online course titled “Including Children with Hearing Impairment in the Mainstream School Education”. The course is scheduled from 22 to 26 September 2025, with the purpose to raise awareness about hearing disabilities and promote inclusive education practices in mainstream classrooms. The course dates are coincidental to the International Week of the Deaf, which is observed annually, during the last week of September. The course is timely & necessary, and designed to sensitize and empower teachers, most of whom have not received formal training in special education, to understand and respond effectively to the unique needs of students with HIs.

This course aligns with key national and international mandates promoting inclusive education. Nationally, it supports the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which ensures equitable access to quality education; the RPwD Act, 2016, which recognizes HI and mandates inclusive education; and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates development of curricular material in Indian Sign Language (ISL) at both national and state level. Internationally, the course advances Sustainable Developmental Goal 4 (Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education) and complies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which affirms the right to inclusive education for all persons with disabilities.

This course will build the capacity of educators to create inclusive, accessible, and supportive classroom environments, through expert-led discussions on practical strategies, assistive technology insights, and ISL integration.

Objectives

After completion of the training series, the learner will be able to:

1. To build foundational understanding of types and degrees of hearing loss.
2. To create awareness of behavioural and emotional issues related to hearing loss.
3. To introduce assistive technologies that support learning for students with HIs.
4. To empower teachers with subject-specific adaptations for teaching in inclusive education settings
5. To familiarize teachers with classroom management and pedagogical strategies for CwHIs.
6. To foster an inclusive and barrier-free educational environment for all learners.

Who Can Participate?

Teachers, Teacher educators, Inclusive Education Coordinators, School administrators, Pre-service Teachers.