Panel for blind slams open book exam plan

nNEW DELHI: The National Federation of the Blind on Saturday condemned the Delhi University’s decision to conduct an online open-book examination (OBE) for final-year students from July 1, stating that visually challenged students were more vulnerable during a pandemic as they relied on their sense of touch.

The federation has also filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the varsity’s decision.

SK Rungta, the general secretary of the federation, said that the decision to conduct exams amid a pandemic would pose a health risk to students.

“Scribes may not be available for blind students or others; they might be afraid for their lives and/or want to adhere to social distancing norms,” he said.

He added that since students had gone home during the semester break, many did not have their reading material on hand. “They do not have either the necessary devices or the required infrastructure for the exam,” Rungta said.

The federation came to this conclusion after surveying 150 students “who unanimously expressed their inability to participate in the exam.”

Dean, examinations, Vinay Gupta said students enrolled under the persons with disability category will be given five hours to complete their exam instead of the three prescribed for others.

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is working on rationalising the curriculum in view of the academic loss caused by Covid-19 pandemic and the exercise will be complete in a month’s time.

“We cannot bring sudden changes in the education system and create confusion and uncertainty. Curriculum reforms are going to be in sync with the learning outcomes,” CBSE chairperson Manoj Ahuja said during a virtual conference on ‘Future of Schools: Overcoming COVID-19 challenge and beyond’ organised by Ashoka University.

“We are rationalising the curriculum. We plan to retain the core elements, which are necessary in terms of learning outcomes,” he added.