On International Day of Disabled Persons, observed on December 3, the HRD ministry has told schools that the government will reimburse expenditure incurred on transport of children with disabilities.

Minister of State for HRD Satyapal Singh said on Sunday that the besides transportation fees of the disabled student, amount spent on books and uniforms will also be reimbursed.

Speaking at an award ceremony organised by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People and Mind tree, Singh said there are about 12 million people with disability and just one per cent go to schools.

“Specially challenged people just do not need courtesy and compassion, but real empowerment which would come through education. How to ensure it is a big challenge,” he said at the Helen Keller Awards 2018.

Singh said the directions have been issued to “all the schools in the country that all the expenditure incurred on books, uniform and transport will be reimbursed by the government”. He also said that the girl child will be given Rs 200 per month.

“It is one of the top most priority for this government to make sure that the rights of specially challenged people are ensured,” he said.

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