RCI CRE-PROGRAMME ON TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR SPECIAL EDUCATORS AT MRIH ON 10TH MAY-14TH MAY 2008 BY RUMA CHATTERJEE PRINCIPAL,

TEACHERS TRAINING UNIT

Dr. Sharada Fatehpuria whose brainchild and labour of love is Manovikas Kendra, when talking about early challenges mentions that getting trained teachers in those days was a major hurdle. The general consensus was that only those teachers who could not get any other job came to this field. This has now proved to be misconception. Moreover there were no training institutes then.

Manpower development, through innovative training programmes has been an Integral part of Manovikas Kendras goal. The training programmes are targeted to a wide range of persons interested in the field of disabilities. In the perspective of high demand of Rehabilitation professionals, it has been decided byRehabilitation Council of India (RCI),

to grant necessary approval to the institutes with proper infrastructure facility and faculty support to run Degree and Diploma courses in Special Education. Manovikas Kendra has been fortunate to obtain necessary approval from RCI for running the following courses, at its Teachers Training Unit.

1. B.Ed in Special Education (MR), of 1 yr. duration, under the development of Adult Continuing Education and Extension, Jadavpur University , Calcutta.
2. B.Ed in Special Education (MR), Distant mode under Netaji Subhas Open University of 2 yrs. Duration.

3.Post Graduate Professional Diploma in Specia Education under Netaji Subhas Open University of 9 months duration.

4. Diploma in Special Education (MR) of 2 yrs. Duration, under the joint Supervision of RCI and Manipal University. 5. Foundation Course in Special Education of 3 months duration under M.P. Bhoj Open University to orient primary and high school teachers about disability. 6. Continuing Rehabilitation Programme of 5 days for registration of rehabilitation professionals.
All the above courses are aimed at the new mantra of disability INCLUSION and INTEGRATION

CRE-NORMS RCI is responsible for development and standardization of training courses in the field of Special Education & Rehabilitation and also to update the knowledge and skills of professional working in different areas of disability. The Council has taken a decision that attending two CREs of 5 days duration each is a pre-condition of revalidation of registration for the professional/ personnel.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS/ PERSONNEL.

1.All must attend 1 CRE programme of 5 days duration. 2. 2nd CRE can be attending or presenting papers at international and national seminars/ conferences/ workshopns approved by RCI 3.Short term training programme of 1 week or more conducted by National Institute/ CRCs/ other Organisations are also equivalent to CRE.

4. Master trainers and faculty development programmes can also be treated equivalent to CRE. 5. You may choose any topic of your interest from the approved topics irrespective of your professional area of disability.
6.Registration is renewable after7 years from date of issue only on submission of CRE participation certificate. For any further information you may correspond with the council or the institutes.

CURENT SITUATION According to the Cencus 2201 there are over 21 million people with disability in India. Of this around 40 percent will be children with disability (0-18 years of age) i.e. 87,62,707 children with disability. If we take a ratio 1:10 teacher: student ration then we need 8,76270 rehabilitation professionals/ personnel. What we actually have is a dismal figure- 36000 persons registered with RCI as professionals/personnel. This is the current situation.

Swami Vivekananda had aptly said, Never say no; never say I cannot; for you are infinite. Even time and space are nothing compared with your nature. You can do anything and everything, you are almighty. Those who are fighting all odds to overcome their disability and are making determined efforts to make their lives meaningful, are certainly following this great seers footsteps and it is the SPECIAL EDUCATORS who are striving relentlessly towards guiding them to their better tomorrows.

THANK YOU