Provide scribe, extra time to Class 12 student suffering from psychosomatic disorder: Delhi HC to CBSE

The court also perused the CBSE guidelines which enlist various medical conditions wherein special treatment is given to such students by providing scribe and extra time for writing exams. “The various medical conditions include muscular dystrophy as well as neurological conditions,” the court observed.

“In the present case, having considered the reports of the doctors on record and the submission on behalf of Dr R Paul, who has appeared through VC, it is clear that the girl student has a neurological condition and that she has problem with respect to her locomotive movements, when her condition aggravates, which as per the doctor treating the student is a psychosomatic disorder, which affects the muscles in the body,” the high court said.

The high court directed that the student will be provided with a scribe. It ordered the CBSE to issue directions in this regard to the student’s school so that necessary arrangements can be made.

“Further, the daughter of the petitioner shall also be entitled to extra time as per CBSE rules. Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, controller of examinations, CBSE, who is present in court submits that 20 minutes extra is given per hour of the examination to the students owing to the medical conditions. In view thereof, similar concession shall be given to the daughter of the petitioner for writing her examinations,” the high court directed.

During the course of the hearing, Dr Paul, who was treating the student, categorically submitted that she is suffering from a psychosomatic disorder. The doctor submitted that in this disorder, the muscles spasm. The court was informed that the student has been in treatment for the last five months.

Bhardwaj submitted that the CBSE is providing various concessions to the students with respect to providing a scribe or extra time for writing exams, in cases where the medical condition of the student in question so demands. He, however, submitted that in the present case, no such requirement is there.

When the matter was listed on March 22, the high court was shown a video of the student wherein the court observed that “the girl had no control over her muscles and her limbs, when her condition aggravated”. The student’s counsel handed over her report cards wherein the high court observed that she is a “bright student”.

The high court further directed that in case the student appears for any “compartment/improvement exam as per the rules of the CBSE in future, similar concession shall be provided” to her on the recommendation of the doctor at that time.