GUWAHATI, Jan 29 - Making a beginning by introducing Braille question papers for the visually impaired HSLC candidates last year, the Board of Secondary Education Assam (SEBA) is now going to introduce the option of Braille answer papers for the students appearing in their board exams from this year.
A total of five examination centres in the State have been specially designated for the visually impaired students where the option of Braille answer papers would be there along with the regular question papers to the students for general science to make it more convenient for them. Simultaneously, the existing method of regular answer scripts, provision of a scribe and extra timing would also continue as usual.
This year, a total of 12 visually challenged students would appear in their HSLC exam which is starting from February 10.
�The visually challenged students get separate question papers for general mathematics and general science, whereas the rest of the question papers remain the same for all students. To upgrade the existing facilities for them, we made a provision of Braille question papers in general science last year. Adding up to that, we will now give Braille answer scripts to the students for the same subject, considering their convenience and utility,� SEBA Controller of Examination Nayanjyoti Sarma told The Assam Tribune.
The SEBA official added that the new facility won�t affect any existing provisions. �With new technology, we are also contemplating the options of special software and other technically advanced devices to help visually challenged students,� Sarma said.
Experts associated with the education and training of the visually impaired, however, pointed out a number of other issues that needed the Board�s consideration.
�Braille is one of the options, but the Board and the Education department need to take more comprehensive measures for training the teachers in Braille and providing adequate books in Braille to the students. Also, several other states are providing computers to such students with modern software. Now is the age of digital Braille notebooks. If the department is serious about upgrading the status of visually impaired students, a lot more is needed to be done,� Naresh Joshi, the administrator of Moran Blind School, Dibrugarh told this reporter.
This year, three students from the school would appear in the exams.
�Also, sometimes internal marks of the practical examination are not added to the total. Last year, one of our brilliant students was deprived in the paper of general science. Similarly, asking the students to draw diagrams was one of the major issues our students face in HSLC,� he added.