Saturday, Apr 20, 2024 | Last Update : 01:50 AM IST
Shortage of writers adds to woes of disabled students
In most cases, students begin their search for writers a month before the exams, or at least a week prior.
Mumbai: There was a huge line of students with physical and learning disabilities waiting outside the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) office in Vashi on Tuesday to get permission for writers.
Due to the paucity of writers in the state, these students, who will be sitting for the Higher Secondary Certificate exams beginning on Wednesday, are facing a huge challenge.
Students who need the help of writers, are required to submit a doctor's certificate as medical proof, a letter from their respective school/college, after which they need to get an approval signature from the MSBSHSE board office, stating that they can take help from a writer for their examination.
In most cases, students begin their search for writers a month before the exams, or at least a week prior. Writers for the HSC examinations need to be from class 11.
However, according to students, there are no officers at the board office while colleges do not provide any help regarding writers. "I have been waiting here (outside the board office) since morning as my college asked me to. But there are no officials to sign my request for writers. Tomorrow is my exam, and I still am waiting here," said Maitree Sonawane, a student. When asked why she was looking for writers so late in the day, she said, "I slipped and fell outside my building a day before, fracturing my right hand. Hence, my doctor suggested I should go for a writer as my hand is not in a position to write for three straight hours."
Like Maitree, several parents and students waited outside the board office for a signature. According to an official, there have been many parents and students coming in for writer's request since last week.
Class 12 and 10 examinations are crucial examinations but still many students, who have LD or any physical disability, or are sick because of which they need writers for the exam, come to us at ninth hour for permission," a board offical said. He added, "Because of such things, both students and parents get stressed as they don't get writers on time. Hence, parents should take necessary precautions before hand and not at the last moment."
