Specially-abled students to get independent code number for SSC and HSC answer sheets

Education is an essential factor in every person’s life. Irrespective of their caste, creed, or gender, every person deserves to get the education for their cognitive development. Similarly, in order to assist the specially-abled students in receiving education, the state education board provides them with certain privileges. However, since the identity of a student is not disclosed in the SSC and HSC answer sheets, the special students are deprived of those privileges.

Therefore, in order to ascertain that the students receive the benefit during the SSC and HSC examinations, the Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has decided to introduce an independent code number for the specially-abled students. The Education Department recently announced the revised policy for the students and under which, the provision has been made.

Every year, these students are provided with added grades and are given grace marks but when the supervisor fails to recognise the students’ answer sheets, these students are deprived of the benefits. Apart from this, different schemes have been brought forward for student welfare as a part of its comprehensive education plan. Accordingly, a separate policy has been prepared for these students.

Also, the board has decided to print the question paper in larger font for partially blind students. Alongside, they have also made changes in regard to the passing marks, provided time, grace marks,etc. The board has also shown leniency towards grammatical mistakes made by the students in the answer sheets. MSBSHSE has also decided that they will allow the students to use calculators for their assistance.

MSBSHSE has already directed the colleges and schools to take the changes in consideration. However, the board has laid the responsibility upon the schools and colleges to make arrangements for the same and has not given any financial aid to these schools and colleges. The government has suggested that these facilities should be made available through public funding.