CBSE allows special needs children to use computers/laptops for board exam

The examination committee of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a proposal allowing children with special needs appearing for Classes X and XII Board examination to use a computer or laptops to write their exam from this year.

A total of 7,356 differently abled candidates have registered for the exams. Candidates with special needs category will have to submit a certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner or qualified psychological consultant citing the grounds for recommending the use of a computer facility. The CBSE’s superintendent for the respective examination centre will then examine the case based on merit and obtain an approval from the CBSE headquarters.

“The use of computer shall be limited to only for typing the answers, for viewing the questions in enlarged font size and for listening to the question items. Concerned candidates shall bring his/ her own computer or laptop duly formatted and the Centre Superintendent shall allow the candidate only after inspection of the computer by a computer teacher”, the CBSE order read. It also stated that the computer/ laptop should not have any internet connection in order to maintain the sanctity of the examination. Such an arrangement will have to be made in advance by the candidate by sending a request with required documents to the Centre Superintendent through school.

The Centre Superintendent is responsible for printing the candidate’s answer sheets and sending them for evaluation. Additionally, the board has also approved the provision for a reader in case the student with a disability does not want scribe facility and needs a person to read the question paper.

The Board examinations commenced from March 5, 2018, and will continue till April 4 for Class X and April 13 for Class XII.