Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government is set to introduce a Life Skills Education (LSE) curriculum for students with visual and hearing impairments studying in special schools across the state from the 2026-27 academic session.
The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has developed two LSE modules for students with hearing impairment (HI) and visual impairment (VI), covering Classes V to VII and VIII to X. The modules have been developed with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Odisha.
According to an official communication issued by the SSEPD Department on Monday, the curriculum will also feature Creative Expression Sessions aimed at promoting the overall development, creativity and self-expression of students studying in special schools.
As part of the preparations for the rollout, the department has conducted training programmes for Master Trainers and orientation programmes for the heads of the concerned special schools. With the preparatory activities completed, the department has directed the schools to implement the LSE curriculum from the current academic session.
The SSEPD Department has also prepared a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), weekly session plans and monitoring formats to ensure the uniform and effective implementation of the programme. These documents will be provided to the heads of the identified special schools through the respective District Social Security Officers (DSSOs).
The DSSOs have been directed to ensure administrative supervision, quality control and regular monitoring of the programme. The department will hold monthly review meetings based on the data submitted through the prescribed monitoring formats.
The initiative aims to strengthen life skills among students with hearing and visual impairments and provide them with structured opportunities to develop their social, personal and creative abilities alongside their academic education.
The programme will initially be implemented in special schools across 20 districts—Anugola, Baleshwar, Baragada, Bhadrak, Balangir, Kataka, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Khordha, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Kendrapada, Kendujhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh, Puri and Sundaragada.
