Odisha Govt Mandates DISHA Curriculum in Special Schools

The Odisha government has mandated the implementation of the DISHA Curriculum across all government and government‑aided special schools catering to children with intellectual disabilities.

According to the directive, Collectors and District Magistrates will oversee the rollout, while District Social Security Officers (DSSOs) will serve as nodal officers for coordination, monitoring, and training.

The curriculum, developed by Jai Vakeel Foundation in Mumbai and recognised by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), has been piloted in select Odisha schools since 2019.

Key features include the DISHA Portal for registration and monitoring, individualised education and therapy programmes (IEP & ITP), and multisensory teaching methods.

Each student will undergo baseline, mid‑term, and annual assessments, with progress reports shared during parent‑teacher meetings.

The government has warned that schools failing to comply may face administrative action, including withholding of grant‑in‑aid.