Moved by efforts of Mumbai woman whose child is autistic, education board introduces concessions for autistic SSC students from this year
Moved by efforts of Mumbai woman whose child is autistic, education board introduces concessions for autistic SSC students from this year
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Barely ten days ago, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Examinations (MSBSHSE) was in the news for giving concessions to autistic students during the upcoming board exams. Officials at MSBSHSE told MiD DAY that the decision to introduce concessions for autistic students was a result of hearing the story of the efforts of a mother, who wanted to see her son suffering from autism, clear the SSC exams this year.
Maharashtra has now became the first state in the country to allow concessions such as extra time, computers??, grace marks and even oral exams for autistic children.
MSBSHSE officials say that what tugged at their heartstrings was a mother's appeal. "No one had the heart to refuse her the fruit of her lifelong struggle," said MSBSHSE Secretary Shahaji Dhekne. "We received a letter from the parent of one autistic child who was appearing for board exams this year. The school had written to us on their behalf requesting for concessions. We asked the child's mother to come before our panel. She came with a teacher in tow and explained her struggle in educating the child. His teacher told us about the students' special needs and we were stumped with the difficulty that these children face in clearing exams and also this mother's resilience of making her son succeed."
He added that after her appeal it was decided to introduce these concessions from the current academic year.
Sources confirmed that the student is from Mumbai and studies in Bombay Cambridge Gurukul. MiD DAY is withholding name of student as the parent requested anonymity before the board exams.
"In principle, the board had agreed to give the concessions from June. But this woman fought for it to be introduced this academic year so that her son gets the benefit. Earlier we had the children appear for SSC exams but they couldn't clear and their parents approached us too late. But this parent was very particular. We accompanied her to the SSC board and she bravely put her demands forward," said Beena Modak, founder of Forum for Autism.
A few months ago, MSBSHSE had received an application from a few schools and Mumbai-based NGO Forum for Autism to introduce concessions for autistic students during SSC board exams. Until last year, the board gave concessions only for physically handicapped and dyslexic students.
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The board appointed an expert panel and interviewed a few educationists and senior doctors such as Dr Sanjay Oak, dean of Mumbai's KEM hospital, to understand problems of autistic students. They were impressed with the doctor's presentation.
"I was asked to explain autism and also why these students need concessions. My nephew is autistic and I have also founded a centre for autistic children at Nair hospital and that's why I was able to explain the intricate details. I am happy that they took this step but the parents of autistic children are the real heroes," said Oak.
Meanwhile, parents of autistic children hailed the mother's efforts and wished that they had done the same.
Sanyogita Deshpande (name changed on request) wishes she took the same step last year when her son was appearing for the tenth standard exams.
"For autistic children, learning more than one language is so difficult. Plus they need computers, as that's how they have been learning in school. For my son's exams, there were no concessions. During the midst of the exams, he fell sick and couldn't attend and thus lost a year. Though I will ensure he writes again, I wish I had fought like this woman did. I didn't think the board would consider. It is good to know they did," said the Thane resident.
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