Differently-abled children in distress: PM-SHRI dispute halts benefits for fifty thousand kids

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Around 50,000 children with disabilities in Kerala are facing serious difficulties as funds under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) scheme remain blocked amid a dispute between the Centre and the state government over the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme.

The Centre has reportedly withheld nearly Rs 1,000 crore earmarked for the SSK programme. As a result, children have been unable to receive benefits and assistive devices provided under the scheme for nearly a year, affecting both their education and daily lives.

The distribution of essential aids, including special devices for children with visual and hearing impairments, wheelchairs, and other learning materials, has been disrupted. Travel allowance for children with severe physical disabilities to attend school, escort allowance for caregivers accompanying them, and special stipends for girl students are also pending.

Resource teachers continue to visit the homes of children who are unable to attend school and provide lessons. Physiotherapy and speech therapy are also being offered through Block Resource Centre (BRC) facilities. However, a shortage of funds has led to repeated delays in the salaries of special educators and therapists. Therapists have reportedly not received a salary hike for nearly a decade, prompting many to leave their jobs. This has forced several therapy centres to shut down, leaving families to depend on private institutions where treatment is often expensive.

Families struggle to afford essential support

1. The funding delay has hit economically weaker families the hardest, as many assistive devices required by children with disabilities are expensive.
2. Digital hearing aids cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, depending on the quality of the device and the severity of hearing loss.
3. Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) devices for children with cerebral palsy cost between Rs 5,000 and Rs 18,000.
4. Standing support devices for children with severe muscle weakness can cost anywhere from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the child's condition.