Dharmendra Pradhan urges early detection of learning disabilities via PRASHAST app
New Delhi, July 23
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said the government is prioritising early identification of children with learning disabilities through the PRASHAST app, developed by the Ministry of Education.
He emphasised that the initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is aimed at integrating children with different abilities into mainstream education.
The Minister made the remarks during a meeting with BJP MPs from Odisha held during the adjournment of Parliament.
He said the MPs discussed developmental issues of the state, with special attention to education for children facing difficulties in the teaching‑learning process.
"Our primary goal is to identify children struggling at the initial stage, teach them through appropriate methods, and bring improvement in their educational outcomes," he said.
The PRASHAST (Pre‑Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) app, prepared by NCERT under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, enables schools to screen children for 21 disability conditions recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Teachers conduct initial screening, while special educators validate and categorise cases for further support.
The tool is designed to prevent mislabelling of children and to ensure access to certification, concessions, and exam accommodations through the Unique Disability ID portal.
The Minister said Odisha MPs pledged to prioritise awareness campaigns in their constituencies, ensuring schools adopt the app and integrate children with different abilities into mainstream education.
He added that the initiative supports inclusive education under the Right to Education Act and NEP 2020, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of quality education.
India has long faced challenges in supporting students with disabilities, with experts noting that early detection and intervention can reduce dropout rates and improve learning outcomes. The PRASHAST initiative is seen as a systemic attempt to embed inclusive practices at the school level.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is great for urban schools, but what about rural areas where internet connectivity is poor and teachers are already overburdened? Hope the government provides proper training and offline functionality. Good intention, but execution matters more.
As someone with a dyslexic sibling who struggled through school without any support, this initiative brings tears to my eyes. Early identification could have changed his life. Kudos to NCERT for developing a practical tool. Inclusive education is the only way forward. 🇮🇳
Impressive to see India taking concrete steps toward inclusive education. The 21 disability conditions covered under RPWD Act 2016 is quite comprehensive. Would be interesting to see how this integrates with the existing special education framework in states like Odisha. Hope the awareness campaigns are well-funded.
Finally! As a special educator, I've seen too many children misdiagnosed as having intellectual disabilities when they actually had specific learning disorders like dyslexia or dyscalculia. PRASHAST could prevent so much trauma if implemented properly. Just worried about teacher training and follow-up support.
Good initiative but I hope they don't just make it a checkbox exercise. Real change needs trained special educators in every school, not just an app. And please ensure the Unique Disability ID portal works smoothly - parents already face enough bureaucracy.
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