Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 6, Issue 2, July 2024 444 App Review Review of PRASHAST App Himanshu Jain Software Engineer, Meta Inc., San Francisco, California Email: himanshukj17122000@gmail.com The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) under the aegis of Ministry of Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India has taken a groundbreaking step towards ensuring accessibility and inclusion in Indian classrooms with the launch of the PRASHAST (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) android based multilingual mobile app. This mobile application empowers schools to identify students with potential disabilities at an early stage, paving the way for a more equitable and supportive learning environment. The PRASHAST app by NCERT utilizes a two-part process to effectively screen students for potential disabilities. This structured approach ensures a thorough assessment while maintaining ease of use within the school environment in India. Part 1: Classroom Observation by Regular Teachers y Target Users: Regular classroom teachers are responsible for completing Part 1 of the PRASHAST app. y Focus: This initial screening focuses on observing students in their regular classroom setting. Teachers use a checklist within the app to assess a student’s performance across various developmental domains. y Domains Covered: The checklist considers aspects like communication skills, cognitive abilities, motor skills (both gross and fine), sensory skills, social and emotional development, and activities of daily living. y Benefits: ¾ Early Detection: By observing students in their familiar environment, Part 1 allows for early identification of potential developmental delays or disabilities. ¾ Teacher Expertise: Regular classroom teachers are well- positioned to observe students’ daily interactions and learning styles, providing valuable insights. ¾ Streamlined Process: The app- based checklist simplifies data collection and record-keeping for teachers. Part 2: Validation by Special Educators y Target Users: Once teachers complete Part 1, special educators within the school or designated support system take over. y Focus: Part 2 involves in-depth evaluation based on the observations documented in Part 1. Special educators may interact directly with the student, conduct additional assessments, and consult with parents or guardians. y Validation and Next Steps: Based on the combined findings from both the parts tools, special educators can: ¾ Validate the initial observations made in Part 1. Indian Journal of Educational Technology Volume 6, Issue 2, July 2024 445 ¾ Recommend further diagnostic assessments for specific disabilities. ¾ Develop individualized education plans (IEPs) to cater to the student’s specific needs. y Benefits: ¾ Expert Analysis: Special educators bring specialized knowledge and expertise to refine the screening process. ¾ Comprehensive Evaluation: Part 2 provides a more in-depth analysis, ensuring accurate identification of needs. ¾ Individualized Support: Combining data from both parts allows for creating tailored learning plans to support each student effectively. Working Together for Inclusive Education The two-part structure of the PRASHAST app leverages the expertise of both regular and special educators. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive screening process while remaining mindful of teachers’ time constraints within the classroom setting. By effectively identifying students with potential disabilities, PRASHAST paves the way for timely intervention and personalized support, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive learning environment for all. It is strongly felt that the app should not be used in isolation; rather, it should play a supplementary and complementary role to other existing apps under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. This may provide both a vertical and horizontal service to the stakeholders. The app further needs to use AI/ML for automatic data analysis and visualisation of data and seamlessly integrate with professionals like doctors, counsellors, teachers, etc., for its holistic use.