A group of parents representing Divyang learners has appealed to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for key policy reforms to enhance inclusivity in the education system. They have raised concerns regarding subject combinations, examination patterns, and practical guidelines for secondary and senior secondary students. The parents’ detailed letter to the NIOS Chairperson highlights the need for changes to benefit students with disabilities.
Parents are advocating for flexible subject choices, particularly allowing students to opt for Data Entry Operations (DEO) alongside an additional vocational subject at the Secondary level. They emphasize the importance of digital skills like MS Office for future independence and employment opportunities, especially for those not pursuing higher education.
At the Senior Secondary level, parents are requesting the removal of subject restrictions to enable learners to select additional vocational subjects. They stress the importance of vocational training and employability in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. Parents believe these changes can create new pathways for neurodivergent students and enhance their skills for the workforce.
Concerns have been raised over irregularities in Business Studies examination patterns, with some question papers deviating from the syllabus and lacking internal choices. Parents are urging the board to adhere strictly to the syllabus and provide a simplified and predictable question structure to reduce confusion and anxiety among students with disabilities.
The disparity in the number of practical examinations for Secondary and Senior Secondary learners has also been highlighted. Parents argue that the current system, requiring Senior Secondary students to complete twenty practical exams, creates undue pressure on students with special needs. They are advocating for greater flexibility in formative assessments to accommodate learners’ individual challenges and medical conditions.
Parents are calling for the establishment of more specialised examination centres in Mumbai to cater to the needs of Senior Secondary students with disabilities. They emphasize the importance of inclusive practical assessments and suggest implementing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) approach in practical examinations. This approach aims to ensure fair and meaningful evaluation by assessing students on selected topics rather than all.
In their appeal for fair evaluation methods, parents are requesting that answer sheets of students with disabilities be assessed by trained special educators. They propose introducing a separate simplified question paper featuring objective formats for students with disabilities, aiming to reduce the writing burden and emphasize conceptual understanding. These measures align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and the National Education Policy 2020, promoting equitable education for all learners.
