‘Mobile Resource Centre – Therapy on Wheels’ to Be Launched in Three Himachal Districts
Shimla, August 28: In a significant move to strengthen inclusive education in Himachal Pradesh, Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sanfia Foundation for the operation of ‘Mobile Resource Centre – Therapy on Wheels’, aimed at taking education, therapy, rehabilitation and specialist services closer to children with special needs.
The initiative is being launched under the Inclusive Education Component of Samagra Shiksha with the objective of addressing the individual needs of children with special needs and ensuring their effective participation in education and overall development.
The MoU was signed by Rajesh Sharma, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh, and Dr Shruti Bhardwaj, Founder and Director of the Sanfia Foundation. State Coordinator Pratibha Bali and Programme Manager Biju Himdal were also present on the occasion.
Rajesh Sharma said the department’s objective under inclusive education was not merely to connect children with special needs to schools, but also to ensure timely identification of their individual requirements and facilitate access to appropriate educational, therapeutic, rehabilitation and specialist services.
He said the difficult geographical terrain of Himachal Pradesh often creates challenges in accessing specialised services and that the Mobile Resource Centres would help take such services closer to children and their families.
For the project, Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh, has procured three buses, which will be developed as Mobile Resource Centres equipped with necessary therapy facilities, equipment and other resources.
In the initial phase, the three Mobile Resource Centres will operate in Mandi, Shimla and Kangra districts. The centres will provide need-based services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special education, assessment, counselling and other rehabilitation services.
The project will also focus on the identification and screening of children with special needs, need-based assessments, awareness generation, training and orientation. Teachers, special educators and parents will be provided with appropriate guidance and training to ensure continued support for children at both school and community levels.
The mobile centres are expected to particularly benefit children who are unable to access specialist services regularly because of geographical distance, transportation difficulties or other constraints.
The initiative is aimed not only at providing therapy services but also at improving the educational participation, functional abilities, communication skills, independence and overall development of children with special needs. It will provide support across various stages, including identification and screening, assessment, awareness, training, therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up.
Rajesh Sharma said the project would initially be implemented for one year. Based on the experience, outcomes and requirements identified during its implementation, the department would consider the possibility of expanding the services to other areas of the state.
Dr Shruti Bhardwaj said the partnership with Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh, would play an important role in taking mobile therapy and rehabilitation services to children with special needs who are unable to access specialist services regularly for various reasons.
The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening accessible, inclusive, needs-based and child-centred services for children with special needs in Himachal Pradesh and promoting their full and effective participation in education and development.
Samagra Sikhsha
