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Classroom comes to disabled student- Viva Visakha!
View(s):A disabled child who was deprived of attending classes in a leading Colombo school due to an issue over accessibility, was this week granted relief with the intervention of the authorities, officials said.
Prasansa Lakmini of Grade 8, whose disability from birth compelled her to use a wheelchair, was unable to attend classes at Visakha Vidyalaya, as her class shifted from the ground floor to the upper floor.
Prasansa’s father, Amitha Sudarshana (36), said the issue was resolved on Wednesday and his daughter able to attend school.
“She has been given a classroom on the ground floor till Grade 11,” her father said.
He added that the child didn’t sit for the 1st Term exams due to issues of accessibility, as carrying the child to the 3rd floor was not possible.
“We appreciate the support we received from many people,” he said.
Prasansa’s mother, Chamila Subhashini said that, following several meetings with the principal, they decided to seek a remedy from the Education Ministry.
However, she told the SundayTimes that Education Ministry officers informed them that the matter should be resolved with the principal.
National Child Protection Authority (NCPA)- Chairperson, Natasha Balendran said the complaint was referred to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and several other organizations, as the child was without education since the beginning of this year.
Ms Balendran said the issue first arose when the child was in Grade 6, but the parents managed to carry their daughter to the upper floor during that period.
However, when the child reached Grade 8, this was not possible as the father was restricted from entering the school.
Visakha Vidyalaya Principal Sandamali Aviruppole said the school was having difficulties in providing classrooms at ground level due to the arrangements of classes.
“We did our utmost to settle the child’s education,” she said.
However, the principal said the problem was solved when the class was shifted to the ground floor, following discussions with the Old Girls Association and the School Development Society.
An Extraordinary Gazette notification published in 2006, ensures accessibility to all persons to all public buildings, public places and to places where common services are available.
(AS)