Blind schools hope for positive Bombay HC order on adult writers during board exams
Till recently, the rules mandated that students could avail a writer who had to be from at least one standard below.
The adult writer cannot be a student’s parents or any family member, and prior verification and permission must be sought from the state board for the writer
Barely days after students and principals of blind schools were left elated over the decision to allow adult writers during examinations for students with special needs, the Bombay High Court sought further discussions before the Maharashtra government resolution takes effect.
On January 8, the state issued a government resolution (GR) outlining concessions to be given to students with special needs during examinations. A key concession was to provide adult writers for students with special needs during board exams.
Till recently, the rules mandated that students could avail a writer who had to be from at least one standard below. The decision to allow adult writers was welcomed by both blind school principals and students.
“Usually, as exams near, students of Class IX who are expected to be the writers for Class X students, are either writing their own exams or preparing for it. Hence, they are not able to devote much time. If the writer is an adult, the main problem of availability would be resolved,” said Sulabha Pujari, principal of Poona School and Home for Blind Girls.
According to new concessions laid out in the GR, the students would be able to avail the service of an adult writer during Class X and XII exams while writers for internal school examinations would still have to be a year junior.
However, the adult writer for board exams cannot be a student’s parents or any family member, and prior verification and permission must be sought from the state board for the writer.
“During the hearing of the public interest litigation on the issue of difficulties faced by children with learning disabilities, some people complained that they had not been consulted though they were stakeholders. Hence, the Bombay High Court has asked for discussions. It is not a complete stay,” said Nand Kumar, principal secretary, school education and sports department of Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, blind schools are hopeful that the decision would come in favour of adult writers. Chandrakant Bhosale, principal of Koregaon Park’s Poona School and Home for Blind, said that on many occasions, students lost marks due to the inability of younger students to comprehend or communicate the questions.
“Generally, there is supposed to be a practice session before the exams so that special students and their writers are able to communicate well. But if the writer is a younger student, they might not take it very seriously or they might have their own classes to attend,” Bhosale said.
Echoing Bhosale, Sakina Bedi, spokesperson for Jagriti School for Blind Girls at Alandi Devachi, said that younger students were immature and often not serious about the activity.
“They lose interest mid-way or don’t understand the importance of what they are doing. Since it is the board examinations, we need adult writers who can devote time as well as have the maturity to know the seriousness of their task,” Bedi said.
“Also, in semi-urban and rural areas, it is difficult to find younger students who have the ability to comprehend and read out properly. Yes, there should be a discussion, but on the maximum educational qualifications or other parameters to select adult writers. Teachers acting as adult writers should not be allowed,” Bedi added.
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