Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala state commission for protection of child rights has asked the government to make strict norms in assigning scribes and interpreters for disabled students during SSLC examinations.“The government, to prevent misuse of these concessions meant for disabled students, should make necessary amendments to existing orders, if required,” the child rights commission said in its recommendation to state education department on Monday.Currently, as per government order, disabled students can avail help from a scribe or an interpreter while writing SSLC examinations. Such students are also permitted to skip two out of the three language exams (Hindi, Malayalam and English) and are allowed 10 minute-additional time per hour while writing the exam. But, allegations are that some schools obtain ‘disabled’ certificates for undeserving students and avail the concessions to ensure 100% pass.The panel had already recommended a test in Class VIII for identifying disabled students, a special training programme for students thus identified and to give concessions only to those who remained disabled at the time of exam. There is strict order to authorities concerned to ensure the authenticity of claims through proper test and certification by a medical board.The commission had also recommended the general education director to issue a circular for implementing a common criterion formulated by a team comprising psychologists, psychiatrists and education department officials. “It has to be examined whether students who are academically weak are further being spoiled by providing undeserving concessions. Misuse of concession meant for the disabled amounts to violation of their rights as well,” the commission noted.

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