Alleged negligence of a school authority prevented a divyanga Madhyamik student in availing
service of a writer and so, could not write in Board exam in Tripura
Enewstime Desk
Agartala, March 04, 2020: Alleged negligence of a school authority prevented a divyanga Madhyamik student in availing service of a writer and so, could not write in Board exam in Tripura. This incident took place on the first day of Madhyamik exams on Tuesday at Teliamura under Khowai district in Tripura. The alleged negligence, despite repeated emphasis for divyanga students and people by Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew sharp reactions and criticisms in the locality.
Rule for visually impaired candidates
As per the rule, visually impaired candidates are eligible to get a writer, one class junior to the candidate, however, to avail service of a writer, concerned school will have to inform the Board that the candidate is a divyanga during form fill-up for the examination and Board accordingly instructs examination center to make necessary arrangements for the divyanga student. However, in this case, concerned school authority did not mention that concerned student was visually impaired, as a result, Board did not instruct for arranging a writer for the candidate.
Plight of Divyanga Jalita Debbarma
Jalita Debbarma of Icharbil HS (+2) in Teliamura is a divyanga and she has government certificate confirming this. Board rules suggest that she is eligible to avail service of a writer. However, on the first day on Tuesday, when she went to appear Board exams, she found herself helpless as writer was there for writing question answers on her behalf. Invigilators noticed her sobbing and found that she could not write anything. After talking to her, they found that she was a divyanga, visually challenged candidate.
Displaying sense of responsibilities, invigilators and others immediately contacted Tripura Board of Secondary Examination (TBSE) that conducts Madhyamik and HS(+2) exams in the State – but, to their utter dismay, TBSE authority told them that Jalita’s school did not furnish any document or informed the Board that she was a divyanga – hence, TBSE did not instruct to arrange a writer for her. Dejected and sobbing Jalita fell victim to ‘negligence’ of her own School authority which was well aware that she was a visually challenged student, local people alleged.
As the negligence of Icharbil HS (+2) School was exposed, school authority rushed to TBSE office in Agartala today with relevant documents of Jalita. It remains to be seen whether erring school authority faces any punitive actions, at this juncture all are hoping that Board would come to rescue the divyanga student and ensure that she can get a writer for remaining exams.
