
Reservations for differently abled a rarity in aided schools in Kerala
The Hindu
‘Managements citing absence of provisions in KER for appointment of differently abled persons’
Reservations for differently abled teachers are a rarity in aided schools in Kerala despite a Supreme Court order and Government directives.
Three per cent reservation was mandatory for them under the People With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, from February 7, 1996. Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the quota was raised to 4% from April 19, 2017, with retrospective effect.
According to K.N. Anand, vice president of Differently Abled Association, aided school managements have not been following the provisions, claiming that the Kerala Education Rules (KER) do not have provisions for appointment of differently abled persons. Though the Social Justice Department issued an order in November 2018 to protect the rights of differently abled persons, a section of managements approached the Supreme Court against it.

The Union and State governments provided support in several ways to the needy people, but private institutions should also extend help, especially to those requiring medical assistance, said C.P. Rajkumar, Managing Director, Nalam Multispeciality Hospital, here on Saturday. Speaking at a function to honour Inspector General of Police V. Balakrishnan and neurologist S. Meenakshisundaram with C. Palaniappan Memorial Award for their contribution to society and Nalam Kappom medical adoption of Type-1 diabetic children, he said the governments implemented numerous welfare programmes, but the timely help by a private hospital or a doctor in the neighbourhood to the people in need would go a long way in safeguarding their lives.












