In a progressive move toward inclusive education, the state of Goa has begun training 240 special educators to implement the NIEPID DISHA Curriculum for Children with Intellectual Disabilities. This initiative, launched under the Sewa Pakhwada Abhiyaan by the Government of India, is being spearheaded by GSCERT Goa, the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa.
The training program is being conducted from September 17 to 24, 2025, covering educators from both special and inclusive schools across the state. The inaugural ceremony took place in hybrid mode and was graced by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Honourable Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. He lauded the efforts of GSCERT and the State Commissioner’s office for taking initiative in adopting the DISHA curriculum.
The DISHA Curriculum, developed by the Jai Vakeel Foundation in Mumbai and approved by NIEPID in 2019, is a standardized educational framework designed to meet the learning needs of children with intellectual disabilities. Already implemented in over 460 special schools in Maharashtra, the curriculum includes comprehensive teacher manuals, student workbooks, and a digital web-portal that enables online assessments, progress monitoring, and real-time data analysis at various administrative levels.
Ms. Archana Chandra, CEO of Jai Vakeel Foundation, shared insights on the success of the curriculum in Maharashtra and highlighted the recent MoU signed with NIEPID to facilitate nationwide rollout. The curriculum has also received approval from the Rehabilitation Council of India, New Delhi.
Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, commended the collaboration between NIEPID and Jai Vakeel Foundation, calling the introduction of the curriculum a much-needed intervention for the state. Ms. Meghna Shetgaonkar, Director of GSCERT, expressed full support for the initiative and assured continued efforts to enhance special education in Goa.
The implementation of the DISHA curriculum in Goa is expected to significantly improve the educational experience and outcomes for children with intellectual disabilities in the state, setting a strong precedent for other states to follow.
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