CBSE to start separate papers for the blind Times

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New Delhi: The visually impaired will now be able to write their board examinations on a computer or typewriter. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also decided to introduce separate question papers for maths and science for the visually impaired from 2003.

To make the exam system more conducive for the visually impaired, the CBSE had provided alternate questions in maths and science to such students in the last board exam. "The idea was to avoid questions which would require a visual input. We realized these students would find it difficult to comprehend questions like those on trigonometry or biology diagrams," said examination controller Pavnesh Kumar.

The CBSE had also introduced alternate questions for the visually impaired in English and social science in 2000.

Earlier, visually impaired students had to grapple with questions in maths and science based on visual elements such as diagrams for as many as 40 marks. This had turned them into "terror" subjects, and many students were forced to opt for alternative subjects such as music and history, simply because no proper system was devised for them.

Visually impaired children are given an exemption from maths and science in and after Class 10.

They can opt for music and Sanskrit respectively. In Classes 6 to 8, too, only the arithmetic element is taught to them.

Taking into account the problems faced by visually impaired students, the CBSE is also in the process of identifying specific examination centres which have better access for these students. "We have also decided to depute their school-teachers as invigilators to give them psychological support," Kumar added.

One of the major problems of these students is arranging for an amaneunsis or a writer (one who writes on the behalf of the impaired student). "We are totally dependent on the writers. Sometimes we have to repeat many times as they do not understand us," a student said. The Board has allowed these students an extra 60 minutes time for each external examination since 2000. They were previously given 30 extra minutes.

As an incentive for writers, the CBSE has decided to increase the remuneration from Rs 25 to Rs 100. It has also directed the centres to release the amount on the same day.

A part of the incentive has been extended to invigilators - they will be given an additional Rs 15.

The relief for physically, visually disabled and dyslexic candidates, has come in answer to a petition filed by the National Association for the Blind against the CBSE in the high court, urging it to implement the provisions of the persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.

Source: The Times of India
Dated :29th November, 2002