A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center and NCERT on Wednesday to make educational materials accessible for deaf children in Indian sign language.
This MoU was signed in the virtual presence of the Union Ministers, Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, Secretary, DEPwD and Anita Karwal, Secretary (SE&L), Ministry of Education.
Human Resource Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal ‘Nishank’ said that the signing of MoU between NCERT and ISLRTC for converting NCERT educational materials into Indian sign language ensures educational standardization of Indian Sign Language as mandated in the New Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
He added that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has done remarkable works for the welfare and upliftment of Divyangjan in the country for the past 6 years and many new records have also been made on its achievements. He vouched for the National Education Policy, 2020 and highlighted that an inclusive policy will transform the country.
Pokhriyal added that the MoU is not only a cooperation pact between the two institutions, but it is also a step towards better coordination between the two ministries.
Pokhiryal added that providing equitable and quality education to all is the mandate of NDA 2.0. He said, “COVID-19 has also forced all the schools/colleges to stop regular teaching-learning-assessment processes and also teacher training in face-to-face (FTF) mode.”
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot said that the availability of NCERT textbooks in Indian sign language will ensure hearing-impaired children access educational resources and will be a useful and much-needed resource for the students, teachers, teacher educators, parents and the hearing-impaired community.
Indian sign language denotes unity in diversity, explained through hands and understood through eyes, connecting all hearing-impaired citizens.
Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) is an autonomous national institute which is dedicated to the task of developing man-power for popularizing the use of Indian sign language, teaching, and conducting research in Indian sign language.
