Despite govt directives, UoP remains disabled-unfriendly

Updated on: 20 March,2014 03:38 AM IST |
Niranjan Medhekar |

In 2004, the higher and technical education department had issued a government resolution (GR), asking for adequate concessions to be provided to students with learning disabilities

“In 2004, the higher and technical education department had issued a government resolution (GR), asking for adequate concessions to be provided to students with learning disabilities.

This included making available coloured answer sheets, giving them concession in diagrams, graphs, and assuring increase in marks by up to 20 per cent,” said Arun Pandarkar.

Pandarkar, senior professor of New Arts Science and Commerce College in Ahmednagar, was drawing attention to a crucial issue. In spite of the GR, University of Pune (UoP) has hardly made efforts to aid students with learning disabilities during exams.

“After the notification, UoP had taken two years to finally instruct all affiliated colleges to ensure implementation of the government’s instructions. But, till date, I have never seen a separate answer sheet for the learning disabled or any other facilities being put in place by the varsity,” he added.

UoP senate member Shivaji Sable said, “I remember in 2008 the varsity had organised a seminar to pass on information, for both learning disabled as well as visually impaired students. But, unfortunately, even today these instructions remain on paper.”