With a mixed batch of students taking the exams, the differently-abled students usually have to shuttle between the examination hall and the room for disabled students. While other amenities, including extra time and lower pass marks, are already enforced as per the Person With Disability (PWD) Act 1995, the SSC Board, for the first time in the state, has arranged for a complete reshuffling of seat numbers for the differently-abled students.

All the differently-abled students will get their seat numbers together.

“Till last year, the seat numbers were allotted in an alphabetical order due to which differently-abled students were scattered in all the classrooms. So, while a handicapped student had to mark his presence in the prescribed examination room, he then had to shift to another classroom with other differently-abled students,” said Y M Vyas, Officer on Special Duty, Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board.

With over 3,915 students having taken their SSC examination last year, the decision was taken after taking the inconvenience caused to the supervisor into consideration as well.

“Since the differently-abled students are allotted a different room, the supervisors have to be extra vigilant about the number of supplements used, collection of the answer sheets and putting them back to the original bundle as per the roll number,” said Vyas.

Apart from the reshuffling of roll numbers, the Board has also paid attention to the general complaint of physically challenged students about taking their exams on the upper floors of the examination centres.