72 Lakh Teachers Get Training to Identify Disability in Students Using PRASHAST Tool

Gist The Education Ministry has trained 72 lakh teachers across 60,000 schools to identify students with probable disabilities using a digital screening tool called PRASHAST . This initiative aims to ensure early detection of 21 disability conditions recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act, 2016 , especially those without easily visible symptoms. For a civil services aspirant, this highlights a practical governance step toward inclusive education by equipping general teachers with standardized early-intervention tools at the grassroots level. Background The Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act, 2016 expanded the legally recognized list of disabilities in India to 21 conditions . Many of these conditions, such as specific learning disabilities or mental illnesses, lack visible physical symptoms, making early identification difficult in standard school settings. Before the introduction of standardized digital tools, general teachers lacked a systematic method to identify these hidden conditions, often delaying crucial early educational and medical interventions for affected students. Key Pointers The Department of School Education conducted a continuous three-month sensitization program on inclusive education to integrate general teachers into the early…