How to Become a Special Educator in India - Job Roles, Courses, Colleges, Skills and Salary

Special educators are specialist teachers who work with students who have developmental disabilities, ranging from mild to severe. They help students who have learning and intellectual disabilities, students who have physical impairments, and emotional or behavioral disorders. The job is highly demanding and takes a toll on the mental and physical health of the teacher. It requires confidence, patience, and a zeal to help the kid grow. Let's learn more about how to Become a Special Educator in India.

How to Become a Special Educator in India: I am sure a lot of you might have once in your lifetime watched the movie Taare Zameen Par. The Aamir Khan starred movie focused on the life of Ishan Awasthi played by Darsheel Safari who had symptoms of Dyslexia. Now, Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects a kid's ability to process information when it comes to reading and writing. It's not a disease and sometimes is hereditary. In this movie, it is shown how Aamir Khan’s character Ram Shankar Nikumbh deals with Ishan and helps him excel not just in education but also in life. In today’s article, we will not talk about Dyslexia or Taare Zameen Par we will focus on Aamir Khan’s character who plays the role of a Special Educator. In this article we will talk about special educators, thewill roles of a special educator, and their job profile. We wil also be discussing how to become a special educator in India, organizations that hire a special educator, and the salary.

Also read:

• Best Special Education Colleges in Noida
• Best Special Education Colleges in Delhi NCR

Now the question arises, what is a Special Educator?

Special educators are specialist teachers who work with students who have developmental disabilities, ranging from mild to severe. They help students who have learning and intellectual disabilities, students who have physical impairments, and emotional or behavioral disorders. The role of a special educator includes designing individualized education plans (IEPs), adapting curricula, and collaborating with other educational professionals and families to bring the best out of the child.

How to Become a Special Educator in India - What is Special Education?

Special education is a teaching field that is dedicated to supporting students with diverse learning needs, ensuring that they receive the appropriate educational interventions and support from teachers and educators. For a special educator, there are a lot of eligibility criteria that need to be ticked like - educational qualifications, training, and a genuine commitment to helping students with disabilities, because the job is highly demanding and takes a toll on the mental and physical health of the teacher. It requires confidence, patience, and a zeal to help the kid grow.

Also read:

• Best Special Education Colleges in India
• Best Special Education Colleges in Uttar Pradesh

How to Become a Special Educator in India - What are Educational Qualifications Required

To become a special educator in India candidates need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria. Here is the eligibility criteria mentioned to become a special educator-

Bachelor’s Degree: Students need to have a Bachelor's degree in Education (B.Ed.) with specialization in Special Education.

Master’s Degree: Although it is not mandatory everywhere having a Master's degree in Special Education (M.Ed.) is always a welcome thing.

Diploma Courses: Various institutions offer diploma courses in special education, which focus on different types of disabilities.

How to Become a Special Educator in India - Certification and Training

Apart from regular degree courses, there are also certification and training courses in Special Education which students can enroll for. Many government and non-government institutions provide certification and training courses in special education for candidates who want to pursue a career in it. From the following candidates can check the names of institutions that provided these courses - 

Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI): RCI is a statutory body overseeing special education in India. It ensures that the education program on Special Education is verified. Hence candidates planning to enter this field need RCI registration for practicing as special educators.

Apart from this, IGNOU also has courses in Special Education. From the following table, we have shared the list of colleges and universities that offer courses in special education. 

How to Become a Special Educator in India - Top Special Education Government Colleges In India

Institute	Tuition Fees (INR)
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University	47,560
Jadavpur University	80,000
CSJM	14,200
TISS	55,300 - 3.88 L
GGSIPU	1.92 L
Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University	20,300 - 1.2 L
Lady Irwin College, Delhi University	73,980
Banaras Hindu University	15,200 - 17,600
Panjab University	29,100 - 85,970
Jamia Millia Islamia	13,800 - 14,800

Students can also enroll in the “In-Service Training Program” for ongoing professional development and to stay updated with the latest techniques and best practices in special education. These programs are either run by government institutions or NGOs working in this department.

Also read:

• B.Ed. in Special Education (Intellectual Disability)
• B.Ed. in Special Education (Mental Retardation)

How to Become a Special Educator in India - How to gain Practical Exposure

To gain practical exposure as a Special Educator candidates need to start from the basics. First, they need to complete courses and follow them by getting a job.

Student Teaching: Candidates can start gaining practical exposure after completing their B.Ed. and M.Ed. programs and work under the supervision of experienced educators.

Internships: They can also pursue internships or volunteer opportunities in special schools, inclusive schools, or NGOs working in special education.

Skills Development Practices for a Special Educator

Although there are not many technical skills to be precise, however, more than technical candidates need to have an emotional depth in them. This is where they need to work more as the job of a special educator becomes very challenging at times and requires a lot of things along with - Patience and Empathy, Adaptability, and Communication Skills.

Job Opportunities in Special Education

There are a lot of job opportunities in this field, apart from regular schools to special schools. NGOs and government organizations. 

Salary of Special Educators

Job Roles	Salary (Tentative Data)*
Special Education Trainer	INR 5 - 7 LPA
Occupational Therapist	INR 5.5 - 7 LPA
Special Education Coordinator	INR 4.5 - 6.5 LPA
Speech-Language Pathologist	INR 4 - 6 LPA
School Psychologists	INR 3 - 5 LPA

Note: The salary of special educators can vary depending on experience as well as the type of organization they are working with.

How to Become a Special Educator in India?

Becoming a special educator in India is a rewarding career choice however it requires dedication, specialized training, and a commitment to lifelong learning. By following the above-mentioned points and continuously adapting as well as enhancing your skills, you can make a significant impact on the lives of students with special needs, helping them achieve their full potential.

Read more:

• Special Education College Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
• Special Education Online Courses & Certifications