Struggle to find writers to end for students soon

Finding a writer during board exams has always been a tough task for parents of students with special needs

Students with special needs appearing for state board examinations will no longer struggle to find writers, with the education department deciding to create a bank of writers. It has launched a portal seeking volunteers. There will also be a helpline number for each division to assist these students with their specific requirements based on the nature of the physical condition.

The initiative comes as a huge relief ahead of the SSC and HSC exams that will be held between April and May. The government will also allow students with special needs to select exam centres that are convenient to them. Officials said they have invited suggestions under its #ParikshaKoTaiyar initiative to provide safe experience of board exams, amid the pandemic.

After interacting with representatives of students with special needs on Thursday, School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad tweeted, "Students representatives made various useful suggestions during the online meeting. We are receptive to all of them. Special arrangements are being made to help children with special needs to appear for the upcoming SSC and HSC examinations. We are open to incorporate more suggestions that will ensure safe exams and prevent learning loss." She also shared a link - https://www.research.net/r/readerwriterbank - to help volunteers register.

"This is good news for special needs students. But amid COVID, it will be important to see how many individuals register as volunteers. Moreover, it is important if those volunteers are available on the day of the exam as it has happened in the past that on the same day, they too have exams. This is a problem specially for board exams which require writers who are not older than the candidates appearing for the exam," said Ummehani Bagasrawala, from Pearls of Vision, which helps visually challenged students get writers for exams of all kinds. Bagasrawala, who is visually challenged herself, said such an initiative should be extended to all exams.

April 23
When HSC exams start

April 29
When SSC exams begin