Let dyslexic kids use scientific calculators in exams: Parents

Another parent echoed his views,“When we put our daughter in the school,we insisted that she be taught in the same classroom rather than picking her out because she is a dyslexic. She is not comfortable using a scribe either as it makes her feel dependent and handicapped. Insisting on the use of one can be a big blow on the child’s psyche.”

Among the concessions offered to dyslexic students,the CBSE exempts them from studying the third language and also gives an extra hour to them during examinations. They are permitted to use a scribe to write their examination depending on the severity of the learning disability. However,using a calculator for Mathematics and Science examinations is not part of these concessions.

On the other hand,the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the state board of Tamil Nadu allow the use of scientific calculators and Clarke table during these examinations and 45 minutes extra time is given by the ICSE for such students. Also,the CBSE does not condone spelling errors during marking of language papers,while the ICSE takes the disability into account provided the parents furnish a medical certificate for the same.

“Since the CBSE is opposed to rote-based learning,provision of calculators and other help for such children would gel with the board’s philosopy,” another parent added.

Psychologists feel the education boards as well as schools should not be so rigid in view of the already vulnerable mindset of these students. “Such children have low self-esteem and are not confident about their learning skills. Basic tasks like reading a lesson aloud in the class or solving dodging tables on the blackboard send jitters in them. Using a calculator would simply aid them psychologically,” says child counsellor Prof Nisha Minocha.

A senior CBSE officer said the board would consider the demand to allow scientific calculators for such children.

Who is a dyslexic?

A dyslexic child will confuse letters,calculations,numbers and numerical notations. He is also confused about directions and finds it difficult to differentiate between right and left,which is the reason why they write letters in a reversed way. For instance,they would write ‘b’ as ‘d’ and vice-versa. He also has trouble perceiving and remembering a sequence. Handwriting may generally be illegible with letters bearing irregular shape and size.