Odisha resource persons for children with special needs demand job regularisation

Bhubaneswar: Resource persons for children with special needs (CWSN) working in different blocks of the state on Sunday demanded regularisation of their jobs.Around 570 resource persons help children with special needs study at schools and also assist them in getting govt scheme benefits.

They ensure the children receive their CWSN certificates, wheelchairs, monthly stipends and attend nearby schools with dignity.Kartik Biswal, president of the All Odisha Association of Resource Persons for CWSN, said they help children with 21 categories of disabilities. “We visit their homes and persuade their parents to send their children to schools. Then we make provisions to bring them to schools and teach them.

Govt should acknowledge our work,” he added.The Supreme Court recently ordered Odisha to address the demand of the resource persons. “Govt has submitted an affidavit before the court on the matter. We hope the govt will implement the order as soon as possible,” said Biswal.Abhimanyu Padhan, vice-President of the association, said the govt should recruit more people as resource persons for CWSN to fulfil the court’s recommendation of appointing a resource person for 10 children in primary schools and 15 students at the upper primary level.

“We are receiving a monthly salary of Rs 13,065. How can we survive on such a meagre salary? Govt should implement the SC order and fulfil our demands without any delay,” said Padhan.A school and mass education department official said the govt has taken steps to implement the court order. School and mass education minister Nityananda Gond did not respond to calls and messages.