In a major national initiative aimed at enhancing inclusive primary education across India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) officially launched a five-day live interactive series on foundational literacy and numeracy on October 19, 2026. Transmitted across national educational channels and digital learning platforms, the specialized series focuses on strategies for building language and math-friendly classroom environments specifically tailored for young learners with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. Developed by NCERT's Department of Inclusive Education, the training modules provide primary school teachers, special educators, and school administrators with practical pedagogical frameworks to adapt early childhood curricula, utilize multi-sensory teaching aids, and implement continuous diagnostic evaluations without stigmatizing struggling students. Education policy directors and accessibility advocates praised the initiative, emphasizing that embedding inclusive teaching methods directly into foundational literacy routines aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) goals, ensuring that neurodivergent children receive structured academic support during critical early learning years.
Capacity Building for Foundational and Inclusive Classrooms
In an effort to accelerate teacher preparedness and classroom accessibility across India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) introduced a revised five-day training module on inclusive education. Developed jointly with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and UNICEF, the program addresses core pedagogical strategies required to integrate Children with Special Needs (CwSN) into general learning environments.
The national initiative focuses on preparing Key Resource Persons (KRPs) who will subsequently cascade the training to master trainers across State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) nationwide.
Overview: Key Structural Components of the NCERT Inclusive Training Program
| Framework Parameter | Specifications & Implementation Strategy |
| Lead Organizing Bodies | NCERT, Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), and UNICEF |
| Primary Target Audience | Key Resource Persons, SCERT Master Trainers, & General Teachers |
| Policy Alignment | National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 & NCF-FS |
| Core Pedagogical Approach | Universal Design for Learning (UDL) |
| Beneficiary Group | Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in regular classrooms |
Integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
A key pillar of the training module is Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework designed to introduce flexibility into curriculum design, instructional methods, and student assessment. By addressing diverse cognitive and physical learning styles, UDL assists general teachers in identifying learning barriers early during foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) acquisition.
Inclusive Education Training Pipeline: ------------------------------------- NCERT / RCI / UNICEF Orientation ──> Key Resource Persons (KRPs) Trained ──> SCERT & DIET Master Workshops ──> Classroom-Level Teacher DeploymentThe training content guides educators on utilizing specialized tools—such as the PRASHAST disability screening app, tactile learning kits, and Indian Sign Language (ISL) digital e-resources—to ensure equitable classroom participation.
Implementation Roadmap Across States
The multi-tier training model aims to establish standardized inclusive practices across public and government-aided school systems. By embedding differentiated instruction techniques into routine lesson plans, NCERT seeks to fulfill the mandate of Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) alongside NEP 2020 targets for foundational literacy.