Special Education System in Kerala: A Review of Policies, Practices, Accessibility and Inclusive Education

Usaib M S, Evangeline Supriya

Abstract: Education is a fundamental right, and ensuring meaningful educational participation for children with disabilities is an important component of an inclusive society. Kerala has a comparatively strong educational system, with high literacy, substantial school participation, and an established institutional framework for school education. However, the educational experiences of children with special needs continue to be influenced by challenges related to accessibility, teacher preparedness, specialised support, infrastructure, parental concerns, and continuity of education at higher levels. The present article reviews the special education system in Kerala with particular attention to inclusive education, institutional support, accessibility, teacher preparedness, special educators, parental concerns, and employment opportunities. The study follows a descriptive and analytical document-based design using secondary information obtained from government documents, educational reports, UDISE+-based analyses, General Education Department materials, the State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities, planning documents, and relevant news reports. The review indicates that Kerala has developed a policy and institutional foundation for inclusive education, but implementation remains uneven. Available evidence indicates significant enrolment of children with special needs alongside continuing gaps in disability-friendly infrastructure and teacher training. The article highlights the importance of strengthening school accessibility, teacher preparation, specialist support, BRC and cluster-level mechanisms, parent-school collaboration, and continuity of support across educational stages. From a psychological perspective, meaningful inclusion is associated not only with academic access but also with dignity, participation, emotional well-being, communication, and social development.

Keywords: Special Education, Inclusive Education, Kerala, Children with Special Needs, Teacher Preparedness, Accessibility, Special Educators, Educational Psychology

How to Cite?: Usaib M S, Evangeline Supriya, "Special Education System in Kerala: A Review of Policies, Practices, Accessibility and Inclusive Education", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1686-1691, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26925122048, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26925122048

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