Education experts have blamed the state government for failing to adequately publicise the concession of an extra 20 minutes available to students suffering from thalassemia while they appear for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board examination which starts today. This has led a mere 9 students availing of the concession across the state, and none in Mumbai. Around 3,18,389 students are appearing from Mumbai for the exam.
Education experts have blamed the state government for failing to adequately publicise the concession of an extra 20 minutes available to students suffering from thalassemia while they appear for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board examination which starts today. This has led a mere 9 students availing of the concession across the state, and none in Mumbai. Around 3,18,389 students are appearing from Mumbai for the exam.
What concession do thalassemia patients get?
Since last year, students who have thalassemia (a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal formation of haemoglobin), are allowed 20 extra minutes per hour while giving both HSC and SSC exams. Students have to submit a certificate signed by a civil surgeon to prove that they suffer from the condition at the time of filling out the exam forms. However, in case they haven't done so, they can produce their certificate at the exam centre and avail of the extra 20 minutes.
Govt not doing enough, says Thalassemia Society president
Dr Vinky Rughwanni, president of the Thalassemia Society of Central India, said, "The state government is not spreading enough awareness about this concession. On our request, it allowed students suffering from sickle cell disease to avail of this concession too. But there are very few takers. According to our records only six HSC and three SSC students suffering from thalassemia are availing of the extra time this year."
Is this concession available for other diseases/disabilities?
Last year, the government had also come out with a resolution on giving extra time to students suffering from Sickle Cell disease (a group of disorders that affects haemoglobin), about which not many are aware, including the Mumbai divisional board authorities.
This year, 1,736 students are appearing under the disabled category, of which 932 suffer from dyslexia, 327 are spastic, 255 are blind, 196 are deaf, 12 are mute and 14 are physically handicapped. All are permitted the 20-minute per hour concession.
What does the board have to say?
S Y Chandekar, secretary of the Mumbai divisional board, said, "I am not aware of the concession being provided to students suffering from sickle cell disease."
However, Laxmikant Pandey, the board chairman, confirmed that no students suffering from thalassemia was appearing for HSC exams from the city this year.
Maharashtra figure for HSC:
13,39,202 Students appearing from state
5,82,066 Number of girls
7,57,136 Number of boys
Streams: 4.79L (science), 4.52L (arts), 3.49L (commerce), 58,551 (minimum competency and vocational courses)
2,389 Number of exam centres in state
245 Flying squads in state
Autistic children are allowed to use calculators in the exam
This year on, students will get their question paper 10 minutes beforehand.
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