Panaji: Only 14.1% of all regular schools (208 of 1,473) in Goa have toilets which are children with special needs (CWSN)-friendly and functional, as per the Union education ministry’s unified district information system for education (UDISE+) report for 2025-26, released recently. Goa’s figure is far lower than the national average of 38%.The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, stresses on integration of CWSN into mainstream schools by ensuring equitable and barrier-free access, among other facilities.As per the data, there are 4,719 CWSN enrolled in Goa schools at present from pre-primary to higher secondary. However, only 208 schools have CWSN-friendly functional toilets. In the case of private schools in Goa, 20.3% have such facility available, followed by 15.7% of aided schools, and only 11.8% of govt schools. A few more schools which have CWSN-friendly toilets do not have them in a functional condition.The UDISE+ data also shows that Goa has 65.8% schools with ramps for CWSN children; this coverage is also lower than the national average of 79.7%. The coverage of ramps in Goa is very good for govt schools at 92.9%, but brought down by severe lack of the facility with it being available in only 29.4% private schools and 37.7% aided schools.Avelino D’Sa of the Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) said that the association is not surprised by the UDISE+ data. He said that DRAG has already served a six months’ ultimatum on the directorate of education two months ago to make schools accessible to children with disabilities, failing which legal action would be initiated.“The right to a toilet is a fundamental right of every student, including those with disability as per various laws in force. Unfortunately, the directorate of education is not taking the matter seriously and cracking the whip on erring schools. Two years ago, the state commissioner for persons with disabilities conducted access audits of all schools in Goa. Nothing happened after that. This shows their apathy,” said D’Sa.Goacan coordinator Roland Martins said that there is a general lack of sensitisation in Goa on the rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs) among officials of the education department like assistant district education inspectors (ADEI) and engineers of the PWD (buildings section).“This problem is further compounded by a lack of orientation on this issue among school managements and parent teacher associations. The need of the hour is a joint, time-bound effort by the directorate of education and the commissioner for persons with disabilities,” said Martins.GFXChildren with special needs studying in GoaPreprimary – 131Class I to V – 1821Class VI to VIII – 1,173Class IX to X – 955Class XI to XII – 639Schools with CWSN friendly functional toiletsTotal schools – 1,473Govt with facility – 91Aided with facility – 88Private with facility – 29Total with facility – 208
