Kochi, Kerala :
This is a new lesson from Kerala for other states to learn.New initiatives by the CBSE and a change in parental mindset saw maximum number of differently abled children appearing for class X and XII exams in the last five years. In 2014, about 535 differently abled children appeared for the class X board exams, which is more than 50% of the 2009 figure of 246.
Similarly, the number of differently abled children who appeared for class XII exams in 2014 was 90, which is higher than the total number of students who appeared in this category from other southern states. “There is more awareness in Kerala and parents have no hesitation in accepting their child’s problem. This apart, the incentives being offered by CBSE for differently abled children encourage schools and parents to be more open about the special status of children,” said a senior CBSE official.
The CBSE in 2008 had advised schools to ensure that no child with special needs is denied admission in mainstream schools. As a result, CBSE recorded that a total of 1,646 students had appeared in class X board exam and another 937 in class XII board exams from 2009 to 2014.
The facilitation done by Kerala schools can be best understood while comparing figures from other southern states with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh recording 207, 131 and 173 students, respectively. The situation is no different when it comes to class XII exams, with only 25 students appearing from Karnataka, 14 from TN and nine from Andhra.
Kerala stands third at all-India level with Delhi leading with 1,056 students appearing in class XII and 2,246 in class X board exams, followed by Uttar Pradesh.
In Kerala, a majority of students appeared in the dyslexic category that is for students with learning disabilities (397 in class X and 60 in class XII), followed by physically challenged category (116 in class X and 21 in class XII).
“We are trying to ensure that genuine and deserving differently abled students get the benefit of the facility,” said Mahesh D Dharmadhikari, CBSE regional officer, Thiruvananthapuram.
According to CBSE, students with learning disability get additional time for each paper. For a question paper of three-hour duration, they will get an extra 60 minutes. Also the visually challenged, physically challenged and dyslexic students are permitted to use an amanuensis. The amanuensis must be a student one class lower than the one for which the candidate is taking the examination.
With 535 differently abled children appearing for class X board exams and 90 for class XII exams in 2014, Kerala is leading the way when compared to other southern states.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kochi / by Preetu Nair, TNN / December 28th, 2014