NCERT, RCI and UNICEF Join Inclusive Education Training Programme to Strengthen Teachers’ Skills

Inclusive Education Training Programme Begins on October 12

New Delhi: An inclusive classroom is not simply one where students with different learning needs study together. It also requires teachers to understand how to make lessons accessible, encourage participation and give every child a fair opportunity to learn. A new training initiative aims to help general teachers develop these skills through a revised module on inclusive education. A three-day, in-person Orientation Programme for Key Resource Persons on the revised five-day Inclusive Education module for General Teachers began on October 12, 2026. The programme brings together experts from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and UNICEF.

The initiative aims to prepare Key Resource Persons (KRPs) to train master trainers from State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs). These master trainers will, in turn, support the wider delivery of inclusive education training for general teachers, helping them create classroom environments that better meet the needs of Children with Special Needs (CwSN). The revised module is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and incorporates Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an approach that encourages flexibility in teaching, learning and assessment.

What Is the Revised Five-Day Inclusive Education Module?

The revised module is designed to help general teachers support Children with Special Needs in regular classroom settings. Its focus is on helping teachers recognise different learning requirements and adapt their classroom practices accordingly. In a typical classroom, students may differ in how they understand information, participate in activities and demonstrate what they have learned. Without suitable teaching strategies, these differences can become barriers to learning. Inclusive education training can help teachers address these challenges through more flexible lesson planning, accessible learning materials and assessment methods that account for individual needs.

The three-day orientation programme focuses on preparing Key Resource Persons who will subsequently train master trainers from SCERTs and DIETs. This training structure is intended to carry the revised module from the orientation stage to teacher education institutions and, eventually, classrooms. However, the programme announcement does not specify how many resource persons are participating, how many teachers are expected to receive training or which states will be covered.

How Does Universal Design for Learning Support Inclusive Classrooms?

One of the main features of the revised module is its integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Rather than expecting every student to learn in the same way, UDL encourages teachers to plan lessons that offer different ways to access information, engage with content and demonstrate understanding.

This approach can be particularly useful in inclusive classrooms, where students may need different forms of support to participate effectively.

The revised module highlights flexibility across three key areas:

• Teaching: Using different instructional approaches to make lessons accessible to students with varied learning needs.
• Learning: Providing opportunities for students to engage with educational content in ways that work for them.
• Assessment: Allowing appropriate flexibility in how students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

For teachers, this can mean looking beyond a single teaching method or assessment format. A lesson that works well for one student may present difficulties for another, so thoughtful planning can help reduce unnecessary barriers to participation.

The programme confirms that UDL has been incorporated into the revised module. However, a detailed syllabus and specific classroom activities have not been outlined in the announcement.

Role of NCERT, RCI and UNICEF in the Orientation Programme

Experts from NCERT, RCI and UNICEF are participating in the three-day orientation programme, which focuses on preparing Key Resource Persons to deliver training on the revised inclusive education module. SCERTs and DIETs play an important role in teacher education and professional development across India. By working through these institutions, the initiative aims to establish a training structure that can reach general teachers beyond the initial orientation programme.

The process involves preparing Key Resource Persons, who will then train master trainers from SCERTs and DIETs. These master trainers are expected to support the wider implementation of the revised module. This approach places considerable emphasis on building the capacity of educators who will pass on the training to others. Its effectiveness will ultimately depend on how the module is implemented, how many teachers receive the training and whether the recommended strategies translate into everyday classroom practices.

How the Programme Aligns with NEP 2020

The orientation programme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which provides the broader policy framework for its focus on inclusive education. Ensuring that children have access to school is only one part of the challenge. They must also be able to participate in lessons, access learning materials and receive the support they need to make progress. This is where teacher preparation becomes particularly important. Educators who understand different learning requirements are better positioned to identify classroom barriers and adjust their teaching methods.

By incorporating Universal Design for Learning into the revised module, the programme emphasises flexibility in teaching, learning and assessment. Its focus on preparing Key Resource Persons and master trainers also reflects an effort to extend professional development through existing teacher education institutions. The intended outcome is to help general teachers build more inclusive learning environments in which Children with Special Needs can participate more meaningfully.

What Happens Next for Inclusive Education Training?

The three-day orientation programme began on October 12, 2026, with a focus on preparing Key Resource Persons to train master trainers from SCERTs and DIETs. The next stage envisaged under this training structure is the wider dissemination of the revised five-day module. Through the resource persons and master trainers, the initiative aims to strengthen general teachers' ability to support Children with Special Needs in regular classrooms.

The announcement does not provide the orientation programme's concluding date, the number of participants or a schedule for subsequent state-level training. These details will help clarify the scale of implementation and how quickly the revised training reaches teachers across different regions.

Conclusion

The revised Inclusive Education module orientation programme focuses on a practical challenge in school education: helping teachers respond to the different ways children learn and participate in the classroom. With experts from NCERT, RCI and UNICEF involved, the three-day programme aims to prepare Key Resource Persons who will train master trainers through SCERTs and DIETs. The integration of Universal Design for Learning also brings greater attention to flexibility in teaching, learning and assessment under the broader framework of NEP 2020.

The real measure of the initiative will be how effectively the revised module reaches teachers and helps them put inclusive teaching strategies into practice. For Children with Special Needs, that could mean fewer barriers to participation and better opportunities to take part in everyday classroom learning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Inclusive Education Training Programme 2026?

The Inclusive Education Training Programme 2026 aims to prepare Key Resource Persons to deliver training on the revised five-day Inclusive Education module for general teachers. A three-day, in-person orientation programme began on October 12, 2026.

2. Which organisations are involved in the Inclusive Education Orientation Programme?

Experts from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and UNICEF are participating in the orientation programme.

3. What is the objective of the revised five-day Inclusive Education module?

The module aims to help general teachers create more inclusive classrooms by adapting teaching methods, learning activities and assessment practices to support Children with Special Needs (CwSN).

4. How is the Inclusive Education module aligned with NEP 2020?

The revised module aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through its integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which promotes flexible approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.

5. What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in inclusive education?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach that encourages teachers to provide different ways for students to access information, engage with lessons and demonstrate what they have learned. It helps address diverse learning needs and reduce barriers to classroom participation.

6. What is the role of Key Resource Persons in the inclusive education programme?

Key Resource Persons (KRPs) will receive preparation to train master trainers from State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs). These trainers will help extend the revised module's reach to general teachers.

7. What are SCERTs and DIETs in teacher training?

SCERTs are State Councils of Educational Research and Training, while DIETs are District Institutes of Education and Training. Both are involved in teacher education and professional development. Under this initiative, master trainers from these institutions are expected to receive training through the programme's training structure.

8. When did the three-day Inclusive Education Orientation Programme begin?

The three-day, in-person orientation programme began on October 12, 2026. The announcement does not specify its concluding date or provide a schedule for subsequent training sessions.

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