ODISHA IMPLEMENTS DISHA CURRICULUM IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS

Key Provisions of the Notification

• Background: The DISHA Curriculum developed by Jai Vakeel Foundation and Research Centre, Mumbai, duly recognized by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), provides a comprehensive framework for educational and functional development of children with Intellectual Disabilities.
• Implementation History: The DISHA Programme has been implemented in various Special Schools in Odisha since 2019 with the objective of standardizing curriculum delivery, assessment, Individualized Education Programme (IEP), and therapy interventions.
• Mandatory Implementation: All Government and Government-aided Special Schools for Children with Intellectual Disabilities functioning under the administrative control of the SSEPD Department shall mandatorily implement the DISHA Curriculum, DISHA Portal, IEP, ITP, and Assessment System with immediate effect.
• Responsibility for Implementation:
  – Collector & District Magistrate – Overall supervisory authority.
  – District Social Security Officer (DSSO) – Nodal Officer for coordination, monitoring, reporting, and capacity building.
• Registration and Onboarding: All Special Schools shall ensure registration of institution, teachers, therapists, and students on the DISHA Portal at the commencement of every academic session. Headmaster/Principal shall ensure timely updating and verification.
• Individualized Education Programme (IEP):
  – All students shall undergo baseline assessment through the prescribed Assessment Checklist.
  – An Individualized Education Programme shall be prepared for each student.
  – IEP shall be prepared in consultation with parents/guardians, therapists, and teachers and approved by the Headmaster/Principal through the DISHA Portal.
• Individualized Therapy Programme (ITP):
  – Therapy requirements relating to communication, activities of daily living, mobility, social behaviour, speech and language, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy shall be assessed and documented.
  – ITP shall be aligned with the objectives of the IEP and reviewed periodically.
• Teaching Methodology: All Special Schools shall adopt multisensory teaching approaches, including Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, and Tactile (VAKT) methods and other child-centric pedagogies prescribed under the DISHA Curriculum.
• Assessment and Monitoring: Mid-term and annual assessments shall be conducted through the DISHA Portal. Progress reports shall be shared with parents/guardians through Parent-Teacher Meetings.
• Capacity Building: SSEPD Department, through the Directorate and District Administration, shall organize periodic training programmes for Principals, Teachers, Therapists, and other stakeholders.
• Recognition as "DISHA Implementation School": Schools achieving prescribed standards of curriculum implementation, assessment completion, classroom practices, and student progress monitoring shall be eligible for recognition.
• Monitoring Mechanism: DSSO shall submit quarterly progress reports to the Directorate, SSEPD. The Director, SSEPD shall review implementation at the State level and submit periodic reports to Government.
• Non-Compliance: Failure to implement the DISHA Curriculum and related instructions may attract appropriate administrative action, including withholding of grant-in-aid and other measures.
• Effective Date: This Notification shall come into force with immediate effect.
• Issuing Authority: The notification has been issued by Bhaskar Raito, Additional Secretary to Government, by order of the Principal Secretary.