In News:

Union Minister for Education, launched the PMeVIDYA DTH 24x7 Channel No. 31 dedicated to Indian Sign Language (ISL) on December 6, 2024, in New Delhi.

Channel Purpose and Vision:

• Objective: To bridge the communication gap between the hearing-impaired and hearing populations by promoting ISL.
• Significance: Channel 31 aims to unlock talent and ensure equal opportunities for all, making society more inclusive and progressive.
• ISL's Role: Pradhan emphasized the importance of alternative communication methods like ISL, which ensures that individuals with hearing impairments have equal access to education, employment, and societal participation.

Government's Focus on Inclusivity:

• Legal Framework: Pradhan highlighted the expansion of recognized disabilities from 7 to 21, making the legal framework more comprehensive.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The policy focuses on inclusive education, with particular attention to Children with Special Needs (CwSN). The NEP promotes the standardization of ISL and its inclusion in educational curricula.
• Employment and Cultural Expression: ISL is not only essential for communication but also contributes to cultural expressions like dance and drama. Pradhan emphasized that learning ISL would open employment opportunities and allow individuals to express themselves fully.

Importance of Channel 31:

• The launch of Channel 31 aligns with India’s commitment to ensuring equal rights and access to education, as enshrined in the Constitution.
• Pradhan urged for widespread adoption of ISL, ensuring that more people learn the language to better support the hearing-impaired community.

PM e-Vidya Initiative:

• Launch Date: PM e-Vidya was launched as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan on May 17, 2020, to bridge the digital divide and ensure inclusive education.
• Key Components:
  • DIKSHA: A national platform providing e-content for all grades.
  • DTH TV Channels: Initially started with 12 channels, now expanded to 200, offering supplementary education in multiple languages.
  • SWAYAM: A platform for online courses and MOOCs for both school and higher education.
  • Community Radio & Podcasts: These platforms are used for wider educational outreach, especially in rural and remote areas.
  • e-Content for Teachers: Interactive videos and resources aimed at enhancing teacher education.

Channel Content:

• Channel 31 will provide 24x7 educational content for children with hearing impairments, teachers, and other stakeholders.
• The content will include school curricula, career guidance, skill training, mental health support, and promotion of ISL as a subject.
• The content will be available on YouTube, increasing its reach and accessibility.