Itanagar, Mar 4: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has raised concerns over the inadequate healthcare and educational support available for children with special needs in the state following an inspection of Day Care Centres, Play Schools, and Rehabilitation Therapy Centres in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).
A team led by APSCPCR chairperson Ratan Anya, accompanied by members and staff, inspected the centres on March 27 and 28.
During the visit to rehabilitation centres and special schools, parents highlighted the challenges they face due to the lack of adequate healthcare facilities for children with special needs.
The Commission observed a rising trend in children with developmental delays, virtual autism, and intellectual disabilities in Arunachal Pradesh. It noted a lack of sensitization regarding the special care required for these children in educational institutions, leading to instances of stigmatization and discrimination.
The absence of a developmental paediatrician in the state was identified as a major gap, impacting early detection and timely intervention for children with disabilities.
Without government assistance, families have had to rely on private rehabilitation centres in the state capital, often at significant financial and emotional costs. Many parents have relocated from their home districts to Itanagar in search of therapy services for their children.
During the inspection of day-care centres and play schools, the commission found that many institutions were operating under multiple registrations obtained from different departments, leading to administrative confusion. This lack of a clear regulatory mechanism has resulted in difficulties in acquiring necessary documentation and has left the quality and administration of such institutes unchecked by government authorities.
The commission recommended that the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) and the Department of Education develop clear guidelines for the academic development of children during early childhood. It also called for the feasibility of providing temporary location approvals while issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for running such institutes.
Additionally, the commission noted specific observations regarding a few institutions that were in the process of being issued licenses and instructed them to comply with regulations. The APSCPCR team also sensitized staff members about violations of child rights and distributed the APSCPCR Child Rights Awareness calendar to promote awareness among children and staff.
The commission has sought further information from all relevant departments regarding the operation of day-care centres, play schools, and rehabilitation centres. A review meeting with stakeholders is scheduled for March 7 to address the concerns raised during the inspection.