A ROLE OF PEER SUPPORT SERVICE FOR EDUCATING GIRL CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Every child has the fundamental right to education and he or she should be given the opportunity to achieve and maintain a level of learning. Each child has unique characteristics, interests, abilities and learning needs and those who have special educational needs must have access to schools which provide various support services especially peer support. For girl child with special educational needs, an effort is required for providing training and education to them and has access to information and guidance which could help them to make realistic choices and preparation for their future role as adult women. Peers can provide important support for a girl child with special needs by providing practical help and forming friendship with non-disabled children. One of the important factors in encouraging peer interaction is that whether or not the normal child is interested in making friendship with the girl child with special needs and if they are interested then the specially trained teachers can encourage and strengthen their budding friendship by allowing them spending time together while studying and playing and act as a role model for them. The present study is based on the data gathered from teachers through a specially designed questionnaire showing the role of the peer support service for educating girl child with special needs and after the complete analysis of the data, it is concluded that with peer support service and encouragement from adults, young children with and without disabilities will grow and develop together physically and mentally. Thus the girl child with special needs will have the better opportunity to achieve her goals in future as an adult woman.