In a class of 40 students, it’s easy for a quiet child who struggles with reading or a restless child who can’t sit still to get labeled as “lazy” or “naughty.”
But often, these aren’t behavioral problems—they are invisible barriers to learning.
Under India’s New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the goal is clear: no child should be left behind. To make this a reality, the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) launched a revolutionary tool to put the power of early identification directly into the hands of school teachers.
The Science: A Screen for All 21 Disabilities
PRASHAST (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) is unique because it is comprehensive.
Unlike older tools that only looked for obvious physical issues, PRASHAST covers all 21 disability conditions recognized by the RPwD Act 2016. This includes everything from Locomotor Disability and Blindness to specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia), Autism, and even Blood Disorders like Hemophilia.
It was designed to bridge the gap between “regular” teachers and special educators. It acknowledges that while a math teacher isn’t a doctor, they observe the child for 6 hours a day—making them the best person to spot the first signs.
The Tool: PRASHAST
The checklist is divided into two distinct parts to ensure accuracy:
- Part-1 (For Regular Teachers): A simple, observation-based screen used by class teachers to flag students who are struggling.
- Part-2 (For Special Educators/Counselors): A more detailed validation step for the flagged students.
Note: The government has also launched a PRASHAST App, making it easy for schools to digitize this data.
👉 Access the Guide: PRASHAST Disability Screening Checklist
What To Do With Your Score
- For Teachers: If a student is flagged in Part-1, do not announce it to the class. Pass the data confidentially to the School Head or Special Educator.
- For Principals: Use the PRASHAST data to request resources. If you identify 5 children with hearing impairments, you now have the data to petition the government for hearing aids or a sign language interpreter.
- For Parents: If the school uses PRASHAST to screen your child, support them. It is the fastest route to getting exam accommodations (like extra time or a scribe) for board exams.
Safety & Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes.
- Screening ≠ Diagnosis: PRASHAST is a screening tool. It tells you who needs to see a doctor; it does not give a medical diagnosis.
- Confidentiality: Disability data is sensitive. Schools must ensure that screening results are kept private to prevent bullying or stigma.
References
- NCERT. (2022). PRASHAST: A Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool for Schools. Department of Education of Groups with Special Needs.
- Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020.
- Government of India. (2016). The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.