Funding crisis halts vital support for disabled children

Over ₹116 crore in Union and State government funds for inclusive education has not been released for the 2025-26 financial year, with a similar amount needed for 2026-27.

This funding gap is directly affecting children with disabilities in Kerala, who are missing out on vital therapies and assistive devices. For instance, Krishnan, a 14-year-old with autism, ADHD, and epilepsy, relies on twice-weekly special educator visits and resource center therapies, but his family struggles with increased travel costs due to the suspension of travel allowances.

Nine-year-old Anand, who has a locomotor disability, faces similar challenges. His mother, Veni, states that the family cannot afford the increased commute to school, and Anand frequently misses classes due to a lack of funds at home. The distribution of assistive devices like calipers and wheelchairs has also been hampered.

Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) staff report that essential equipment like treadmills are not being maintained due to financial constraints, forcing families to sometimes cover these costs. The SSK staff hope for the prompt release of pending funds to prevent further suffering for differently-abled children.