India’s education system, known for its scale and diversity, is often celebrated across the globe. However, hidden beneath this wide spectrum lies a crisis that continues to go unnoticed ~ the severe shortage of special educators, a problem that prevails in both government and private schools. This scarcity is impacting the education and future of children with special needs (CWSN) in a significant way.

Special educators are indispensable in providing appropriate guidance and learning to children with visual impairment, hearing disabilities, autism, and various other challenges. Though the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act) upholds equal opportunities for education, there exists no clear and enforceable mechanism to implement this promise effectively. According to UNESCO’s 2021 report, around 75 per cent of children with disabilities are still unable to attend school.

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While national initiatives like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the National Education Policy 2020 commit to inclusive education, this commitment is rendered ineffective due to the dire shortage of trained special educators. As per 2023–24 data, although more than 25.48 lakh CWSN have been identified, only 12,000 to 15,000 trained special educators are available to cater to their needs. One of the foremost reasons behind this shortfall is the limited number of training institutions for special education.

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Under the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), there are fewer than 800 institutes, which together produce fewer than 5,000 educators annually ~ a number far below the national demand. Moreover, many general teachers are ill-equipped to handle the needs of children with disabilities, primarily due to the lack of formal training in this domain. Secondly, under the SSA, special educators working in government schools are paid very low salaries that remain stagnant over years.

This inadequate compensation compels many........

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