Lucknow: The upgraded version of the 'Prashast' app—Prashast 2.0 will help screen 21 types of disabilities easily, and simplify the certification process for children with special needs (CWSN) while helping integrate them into mainstream education, said Ira Singhal, deputy secretary, department of school education and literacy, Government of India, at the 'User Acceptance Testing' (UAT) program of the app on Tuesday.
Singhal made history in 2014 by becoming the first differently-abled woman to top the UPSC Civil Services Examination with AIR 1. Emphasizing that early screening, assessment and identification of CWSN are crucial, she said the app, which will be launched in May, will automatically connect school heads, teachers, special educators, and students, enabling school-level screening by teachers and special educators.
“Once potential disabilities are identified, students will be linked to special support services under the 'Samagra Shiksha' initiative,” she said. The testing program for the upgraded version is underway in several states. Teachers are being trained to use the app effectively, enabling them to observe students’ behavioral, social, and academic challenges.
During the program, Singhal also interacted with teachers and special educators, discussing their experiences with the app and gathering feedback. A 40-minute video by the Government of India explaining the app’s purpose, usage, and benefits, was also showcased. The event was organized by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).
Singhal also overcame severe scoliosis and systemic, legal battles regarding her disability to serve as a bureaucrat. The event saw participation from around 100 participants or sample users familiar with the Prashast app and digital tools, including general and special teachers from basic and secondary schools across Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Uttarakhand and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
