Bhubaneswar, Aug. 28: The demand for courses in special education has seen a sudden jump with state government agreeing to allow special education teachers to be appointed as teachers in general schools.

Chetana College of Special Education, one of the two institutes in the state offering courses in teaching the mentally challenged, received 854 applications for its 25 seats in B.Ed in special education programme this year

“Earlier the government did not recognise the degree and students who passed out found it difficult to seek entry into government schools,” said Binay Bhushan Mohapatra, coordinator of the centre.

“In fact our students study the same courses as any Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) or certificate training (CT) student would along with an additional special paper as optional subject. Therefore there was absolutely no reason why these graduates should not be considered for general schools,” he said.

It was only in 2008, that Orissa agreed to equalise the courses with general B.Ed degree. Besides, gaining an entry into the 170 special schools in the state, students now have a choice of getting into general schools.

“Demand for courses in special education has reached an all-time high. Looking at the demand, we have been writing to the state government and the Rehabilitation Council of India for an increase in the number of seats but we are yet to get the nod,” said Principal Bijaya Pati.

The institute currently runs five regular programmes including diploma in early childhood special education, diploma in special education, B.Ed in special education, M.Ed in special education and diploma in vocational rehabilitation. While most students continue to get into government schools as siksha sahayaks, many others are recruited by rehabilitation centres and NGOs running special schools.