Subramani sir, With a few exceptions, all the banks currently follow the same rules. Unfortunately, those rules are so ridiculous that it's almost impossible to find a scribe who can really serve the purpose for writing an examination.
Second, you talk about all banks following same procedure. But the funny thing is that the rules for scribe were different when I wrote SBI entrance exam one and half year back. I really apologise for not preserving the document sent to me, but I'm more than 100% confident that the rule was that the scribe should be one grade less than that of the candidate and not one grade less than the minimum stipulated eligibility criteria required for the post. Not only me, but all my other colleagues have used graduates as scribes since we were all post graduates. The same was confirmed by a probation officer who has joined in the bank before me. I don't understand why SBI has made the rules more stringent. -- G. Vamshi PH Res : +91 877-2243861 Mobile: +91 9949349497 E-mail ID: [email protected] Skype: gvamshi81 God helps those who help themselves On 3/5/10, Subramani L <[email protected]> wrote: > Why should there be so much disparity in the banking sector? Can't there > be a uniform procedure for V I candidates to appear for the exams in any > bank/banking job? > > Subramani > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Asudani, > Rajesh > Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:00 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [AI] FW: (VIB) Fwd: ambiguity in rules for scribe in SBI PO > exam > > Now, in RRB centralized ads, they are asking the details of scribe to be > sent with the application form itself. > They propose to issue separate identity cards for scribes of VI. > Mind you, exam dates are not fixed yet, and a VI has to find and > convince somebody to be the scribe at an indefinite date in future. > Excellent! > > > Regards > > "Perhaps our role on this planet is not to worship God-- but to create > Him." > > --Arthur C. Clarke > > (Rajesh Asudani) > > Assistant General Manager, > Reserve Bank of India > Nagpur > 09420397185 > O: 0712 2806676 > Res: 0712 2591349 > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of SC > Vashishth > Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 11:35 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [AI] FW: (VIB) Fwd: ambiguity in rules for scribe in SBI PO > exam > > Dear friends, > > > > I don't know whether we have moved an inch after such a conclusive > minutes > of meeting on the issue of framing a policy of scribes. Kanchan could > you > throw some light as to where do we stand on this as of date. > > > > I am pasting the minutes for every one to read and be informed of the > demands of the sector. > > ** > > regards > > > > Subhash Chandra Vashishth > > Advocate > > > > > > *Recommendations of the meeting held on 19**th** February 2008 for > framing a > policy on written examination for Persons with Disabilities.* > > > > The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, > Protection > of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 casts responsibility on the > appropriate governments and local authorities to make necessary > facilities > available for persons with disabilities in matter of education and > employment, including providing of scribe, aids and appliances, > appropriate > environment and seating arrangements for visually impaired and other > physically disabled persons. However, in the absence of clear guidelines > or > policy in the matter, different authorities adopt different approach in > providing such facilities, which is leading to a lot of confusion and > inconvenience to persons with disabilities. > > > > A meeting to discuss the existing difficulties and to workout > recommendations for arriving at the policy on conduct of written > examination > for persons with disabilities was held on 19th February, 2008 under the > chairmanship of Dr. Manoj Kumar, Chief Commissioner for Persons with > disabilities, Govt. off India. List of Government > officials/Organisations/individuals who participated in the meeting is > enclosed at Annexure-I. The background material, which was circulated > to > the participants, is enclosed at Annexure-II. > > > > After the discussion and deliberations on the various > issues > the recommendations of the members emerge as follows: > > > > I. There should be a uniform and comprehensive policy > across the country for persons with disabilities for written examination > taking into account improving technology and new avenues opened to the > persons with disabilities providing a level playing field. Policy > should > also have flexibility to accommodate the specific needs on case-to-case > basis. > > > > II. There is no need for fixing separate criteria for > regular > and competitive examinations. > > > > III. The facility of Scribe/Reader/Lab Assistant should be > allowed to any person having disability of 40% and above, certified by > the > competent medical board irrespective of the nature of disability, if so > desired by the person > > > > IV. The candidates should have the discretion of opting for > hisown s > cribe/reader/lab assistant or request the Examination Body for the same. > In > second instance the examining body should identify the scribe/reader/lab > assistant to make panels at the District/Division/State level as per the > requirements of the examination. In such instances the candidates > should be > allowed to meet the scribe a day before the examination so that the > candidates get a chance to check and verify whether the scribe is > suitable > or not. > > > > V. Criteria like educational qualification, marks scored, > age > or other such restrictions for the scribe/reader/lab assistant should > not > be fixed. Instead, the invigilation system should be strengthened, so > that > the candidates using scribe/reader/lab assistant don't indulge in > mal-practices like copying and cheating during the examination. > > > > VI. There should also be flexibility in accommodating last > movement change in scribe/reader/lab assistant in case of emergency. > Similarly, the candidates should be allowed to take more than one > scribe/reader for writing different papers especially for languages. > > > > VII. The persons with disabilities should be given the option > of > choosing the mode for taking the examinations i.e. in Braille or by > computer > or in large print or even by recording the answers as the examining > bodies > can easily make use of technology to convert question paper in large > prints, > e-text or Braille and can also convert Braille text in English or > regional > languages. > > > > VIII. The candidates should be allowed to check the computer > system > one day in advance so that the problems, if any, in the software/system > could be rectified. > > > > IX. The procedure of availing the facility of scribe should > be > simplified and the necessary details should be recorded at the time of > filling up of the forms. Thereafter, the examining body should ensure > availability of question papers in the format opted by the candidate as > well > as suitable seating arrangement for giving examination. > > > > X. The disability certificate issued by the competent > medical > board in any region should be accepted across the country. > > > > XI. The word "extra time or additional time" that is being > currently used should be changed to "compensatory time" and the same > should > not be less than 20 minutes per hour for the persons who are making use > of > scribe/reader/lab assistant. All candidates with disability not > availing > the facility of scribe may be allowed additional time of minimum of one > hour > for an exam of 3 hours duration which could further be increased on case > to > case basis. > > > > XII. The candidates should be allowed to use assistive > devices > like talking calculator (in cases where calculators are allowed for > giving > exams), tailor frame, Braille slate, abacus, geometry kit, Braille > measuring > tape and augmentive communication devices like communication chart and > electronic devices. > > > > XIII. Proper seating arrangements (preferably on the ground > floor) should > be made prior to the commencement of examination to avoid confusion or > distraction during the day of the exam. The time of giving the > question > papers should be marked accurately and timely supply of supplementary > papers > should be ensured. > > > > XIV. The examining body should also provide reading material in > Braille or E-Text or on computers having suitable screen reading > softwares > for open book examination. Similarly, online examination should be in > accessible > format i.e. websites, question papers and all other study material > should be > accessible as per the international standards laid down in this regard. > > > > XV. Alternative objective questions in lieu of descriptive > questions should be provided for Hearing-Impaired persons, in addition > to > the existing policy of giving alternative questions in lieu of questions > requiring visual inputs, for persons with Visual Impairment. > > > *Annexure - I* > > > > 1. > > Mrs. Poonam Natarajan, Chairperson, National Trust, 9th floor, Jeevan > Prakash Building, K.G. Marg, New Delhi - 110 001. > > > > 2 > > Shri Suhas Karnikar, National Association for the Blind > > Department of Employment, 2nd floor, 11/12, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road > > Worlie Seaface, Mumbai - 400 025 > > > > 3 > > Mr. Bhaskar Yogendra Mehta, Commissioner, Disabilities, > > Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, > > Government of Gujarat, Block No.16, Ground Floor, > > Dr. Jivaraj Maheta Bhavan, Gandhinagar - 382 010 > > > > 4 > > Shri P.P. Ravi, Department of Financial Services > > Ministry of Finance, Banking Division, Jeevan Deep Building, > > Parliament Street, New Delhi-1 > > > > 5 > > Shri Ashish Kumar, Dy. Director General > > Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment > > Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. > > > > 6 > > Prof. S.R. Mittal, Department of Teachers Training > > & Non-Formal Education, Faculty of Education > > Jamia Milia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi - 110 025. > > > > 7 > > Mr. A.K. Cashyap, Under Secretary > > Department of Personnel & Training, Govt. of India > > North Block, New Delhi - 110 001 > > > > 8 > > Mrs. C. Gurumurtty, Director (Academic) > > Central Board of Secondary Education > > 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi - 110 092. > > > > 9 > > Mr. M.C. Sharma, Controller of Examination > > Central Board of Secondary Education > > 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi - 110 092 > > > > 10 > > Dr. Rumel Singh, Jt. Director of Employment Exchanges > > Dte. General of Employment & Training, Shram Shakti Bhawan > > Rafi Marg, New Delhi - 110 001. > > > > > > 11 > > Mr. R.C. Agasimani, Asstt. General Manager (Law) > > State Bank of India, CRPD, Corporate Office > > Tulsiani Chamber, Ist floor (West Wing) > > Free Press Journal Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021 > > > > 12 > > Mr. B.K. Bahl, Chief Manager > > State Bank of India, CRPD, Corporate Office > > Tulsiani Chamber, Ist floor (West Wing), Free Press Journal Marg > > Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021. > > > > 13 > > Mr. A.D. Ramachandran, Director Est. (LL) > > Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi > > > > 14 > > Mr. K.S. Sawhney, Director (Disabilities) > > Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment > > Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. > > > > 15 > > Ms. Kanchan Pamnani, Advocate > > 24 Blue Heaven, Mount Pleasant Road, Mumbai - 400006. > > > > 16 > > Dr. Rakesh Kumar (IFS), Advisor-I > > All India Council for Technical Education > > I.P. Estate, New Delhi - 110 002. > > > > 17 > > Dr. Dharmendra Kumar, Director > > PDU Institute for the Physically Handicapped > > 4, Vishnu Digambar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002. > > > > 18 > > Mr. Shrigopal Sisodia, General Secretary > > Indian Association of the Blind, 154/C, Delhi Administration Flats > > Sindhoram Kalan, Delhi - 110 052. > > > > 19 > > Gp. Capt. P.K. Agnihotri (Retd.), Regional Coordinator > > National Association for the Blind, Dept. of Employment, 2nd floor, > > 11/12, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Road, Worli Seaface, Mumbai - 400 025. > > > > *Annexure - II **B* *The **Policy for Examination of the Disabled* > > > > The Policy for the Examination of the Disabled envisages a tension free > environment for the Disabled before, during and after the Examination. > It is time that India had a comprehensive, standard but dynamic policy > for > examination of the Disabled. > > > > The need for a standard and comprehensive Policy throughout India for > the > examination of the Disabled has been growing since: > > > > * Every year more and more Disabled candidates are appearing for > various examinations. > > * The kind of Disability that has to be considered has also been > increasing over the years. > > * Number of examining bodies has been increasing over the years > > > > * Various orders/judgments/directions have been passed by various > Courts/Commissions/Authorities that deal with the problem in piecemeal. > > > > * Various examination conducting authorities have different rules > and/or implement the rules in different ways. > > > > * Technology is improving and needs to be taken into account > > > > * The anxiety suffered by the examinees before and during the > examination has to be removed > > > > * Questions asked at written examinations and the examinations > themselves are varied and need to be answered in various ways. > > > > * Competition is increasing and the Disabled have to be given a > level > playing field. > > > > *1. Comprehensive* > > > > Looking at the needs of each Disability, the Policy must cover as many > issues as possible and not leave any ambiguities and lacuna. Basically > it > has to cover all questions raised by the officials of the Examining > authority who tend to harangue the candidates just before the > examinations. > > > > *2. Flexible and Dynamic* > > > > The implementers of the Policy have to be able to adapt to the > situation. > There may be a need to change the Scribe at the last minute or a > Disability > may arise while the exam Schedule is on for eg. A candidate may fracture > his > hand while returning from a paper and may need the use of a Scribe for > the > remaining papers. Also technology is evolving and needs to be taken into > account. The discretion of the officials of the Examining authority has > to > be exercised keeping the best interest of the candidate in mind. > > This Policy must be reviewed periodically after recording the experience > of > all concerned. > > > > *3. All Examinations * > > > > This Policy will apply to all examinations being conducted in India > generally and specifically to examinations conducted by Educational > institutions- schools and colleges (both internal and external), School > and > College Boards, universities and deemed universities, autonomous bodies > conducting entrance or promotional examinations as well as all > recruiting/promoting authorities and any other authorities or bodies > under > which a Disabled examinee wishes to appear for an examination for any > purpose whatsoever. > > > > The categorization of exams into exams conducted by educational > institutions > and competitive exams is uncalled for. However there may be specific > requirements of each exam and these have been addressed in this Policy. > > > > *4. Need for the facility of a Scribe* > > > > In a country like India which envisages for its citizen's equality of > opportunity, allows its Disabled to take exams but has denied on several > occasions its disabled examinees the use of a Scribe. This denial has > let to > anomalous situations where a visually disabled examinee has been allowed > to > appear in an examination but has not been allowed the use of the scribe > thereby effectively denying the visually disabled to appear in the > examination and better his prospects. The humanitarian and logical > aspect of > providing a facility of a Scribe should not have been required to be > spelt > out however since the ground level situation is such that the Disabled > have > been discriminated against on such basic issues even this needs to be > clearly documented. > > > > *5. Entitled * > > > > Categorizing of the Disabled persons who will be entitled to get the > facilities of a Scribe could be standardized to some extent. > > > > However there has to be some flexibility depending on the requirement of > a > candidate. > > > Certain disabled persons like the totaled blind would definitely need > the > use of a Scribe however others may just need some adjustment or > concession > example large font or adjustment of the microscope during practical > exams or > graph papers with larger squares. > > > > Therefore to make an exhaustive list of the disabled who will be allowed > use > of a Scribe is not possible. The list of the disabled must be an > inclusive > list and should give the examining authority discretion to include other > persons but not to disallow persons mentioned on the list. It may not > be > proper to lay down iron clad rigid rules in terms of percent with > disability > that will be allowed Scribe. > > > > Learning Disabled candidates have been allowed the use of a Scribe and > other > concessions by the State of Maharashtra. > > > > > > *6. Supervision * > > > > The examining authorities are duty bound to ensure that no mal practices > like copying and cheating are indulged by candidates during the > examinations. For all examinations the responsibility of a fair and free > examination lies with the Examining Authority. The Examining Authority > evaluates the situation and decides on the number of invigilators, > supervisors and assistants. The examining authorities cannot pass on > this > burden to the disabled candidate. The fetters being put on the choice > of a > scribe is unfair and reeks of chauvinism. The examining authorities must > not > be allowed to shirk their responsibility of proper invigilation onto the > candidates by restricting his choice of Scribe. Some Examining > Authorities > have a practice of appointing one invigilator per candidate with special > needs; some other Examining Authorities have a special room for such > candidates and have one invigilator for the room. Some Authorities > actually > have a special Centre for such Examinees. > > > > *7. Scribe* > > > > Provisions of a Scribe would not be different for competitive exam and > regular school/college exams. An examination at whatever level and for > whatever course is still a test of the knowledge and skill of an > examinee. > The Scribe is a mere facilitator. > > > > Limiting a candidate's choice of a Scribe on grounds of age, > capabilities, > qualifications, level of education or marks scored is actually unfair > and > prejudices the candidate. It is for the Examining Authority to take care > of > supervision as stated in 6 hereinabove. > > > > The guidelines in paras 3 and 4 herein Below are to be considered only > as > transitionary guidelines and as a compromise to close the matter at this > stage. These guidelines will need to be revisited as the acceptability > by > the Examining Authority increases. > > > > Criteria of marks of the Scribe is immaterial and redundant if the > examining > authorities do their part as explained in Para 6 above. > > > > Criteria of 40% to 60% marks of a Scribe are paradoxical and arbitrary. > Paradoxical in the sense that Examining Authorities believe 40% to 60% > marks > is bad enough that the Scribe would not be unduly able to help the > candidate > while 40% to 60% is good enough that the scribe can sufficiently address > all > the requirements of a scribe. > > > > Any criteria based on the marks of a Scribe are arbitrary as there is no > uniformity in marking in the different exams conducted in India nor is > there > uniformity in marking in the different subjects being tested. Also no > study > has been conducted which recommends such a criteria > > > > Fixing cut of marks for Scribe is unfair, especially in current system > where > the students score very high marks in their secondary and senior > secondary > school examination. Hence the students with 40% or 60% marks are bound > to be > weak student academically & may not be able to comprehend especially > tables > & graphs in test of reasoning, mathematical & scientific symbols and > read > properly, also their language skills would be shabby leading to the > wastage > of valuable time. > > > > The discretion to choose a Scribe is always with the Candidate however > for > various reasons the Candidate may turn to the Examining Authority for > assistance in this matter. The examining Authority has to provide > Scribe > who can adequately take care of the problem. > > > > The Examining authority has to consider the mental capacity of the > Scribe > which includes the Scribe's ability to read out questions, take > dictation > and deal with situations which are fraught with tension. > > > > Change of Scribe just before the start of the exam schedule or just > before a > paper or during the paper is a possibility which the Chief Supervisor of > the > Examining Authority has to deal with. The candidate cannot be made to > suffer > for such eventualities. In case of a necessity of change of Scribe > before > the Examination starts the candidate must be allowed the use of a Scribe > > > > > *8. Additional Time * > > > > There is no doubt that additional time is to be given to a disabled > candidate whether using the facility of a Scribe or not. The Disabled > Candidate is slower while reading the question paper and much slower > while > answering it compared to a non Disabled Candidate. While dictating to a > scribe repeating words and sentences and checking the answer sheet a lot > of > time is lost. > > > > Different educational institutions and competitive exams all over the > country have varied rules regarding this. > > > > The need for a standard policy in this regard has been felt for a long > time. > > > > > > *9. Technology * > > > > The advancement in technology has to be considered and the benefits must > be > harnessed for the betterment of the Disabled. The use of technology has > given the Disabled a chance to be independent. It is time that the > Examining > authorities accept the new possibilities and facilitate its use. > > > > The Examining authorities must use the available resources of eg. > Centres at > Universities, colleges and in the community which have facilities to > allow > Disabled Candidates to give their exams on the computer. Candidates may > be > allowed to use their own personal computers/laptops after proper check > of > the hard disc by the Examining authorities. > > The Examining Authorities have to provide other facilities like printers > and > UPS which are compatible. > > > > The software and appliances to be allowed and utilized are evolving > therefore there cannot be a fixed set and the Examining Authorities have > to > see the situation and discuss the matter with the candidates and experts > and > then permit the technology to be used. > > > > *10. Kinds of Exams * > > > > There are many kinds of exams being conducted for eg. Viva, practical, > online, open book apart from the traditional written exam which now has > subjective, multiple choice and one word answers. The Policy has to be > comprehensive to deal with all such exams. > > > > *11. Certificate of Disability* > > > > The Examining Authority must accept the Certificate of disability > produced > by the Candidate which has been issued by the Competent Authority under > the > Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. > > > > The Examining Authority cannot ask the candidate to undergo a fresh test > every time he sits for an exam. > > > > *12. Publicity and Implementation * > > > > This Policy needs to be widely publisised by all the Ministries to their > constituents as past experience has shown that the Examining Authorities > do > not believe the candidates when the candidates produce the relevant > circulars or notifications. The hassle of finding proof of the circular > should not be on the candidate. > > > > Further, after this policy comes into effect the non-implementing body > should invalidate the examination and they should reorganize the same. > This > is a deterrent to the non implementation of the Policy. > > > > *13. Disabilities * > > > > Although the herein below guidelines are specifically for Visually > disabled > candidates these guidelines may be used by the Examining authorities > while > conducting examinations for other candidates suffering from disability > whether permanent or temporary. > > > *Policy for Examination of the Visually Disabled* > > > *1. Scribe* > > > > a. The Visually Disabled candidate must be allowed the use of a Scribe > who > will read the question papers and write/type the answers dictated by the > Visually disabled candidate. > > > > b. Since one of the important factors while doing an examination is > speed, adequate > practice is necessary, Visually Disabled persons should be allowed to > use > the services of a scribe of his/her own choice. The Visually Disabled > candidate may however request the Examining authority to provide a > Scribe. > > > > c. The discretion to arrange for his/her own Scribe or to be provided by > a > Scribe by the Examining Authority is with the candidate alone. > > > > d. No other restriction other than those mentioned in Clauses 3 or 4 > herein > below should be imposed on the selection of a scribe. > > > > e. It is desirable that the candidate and the scribe are from the same > stream. > > > *2. Examination Form/Application * > > > > a. All Application Forms/Advertisements for exams should mention that a > Visually Disabled candidate will be allowed the use of a Scribe and > alternative formats will be provided. > > > > b. The examining authority should give a clear option in the > advertisement > itself whether the examinee wishes the scribe to be provided by the > examination conducting body or he/she wishes to arrange the scribe on > his/her own. > > > > c. The Examining authority at the time of advertisement/application > should > also print the criteria/qualification for scribe to be followed. > > > > d. The application form should have a provision asking low vision > persons to > indicate the requirement of question paper in large print. The > advertisement for examination as well as the application form should > also > clearly mention that the low vision persons would be allowed the use of > magnifying glass. > > > > > > *3. Scribes chosen by Candidate * > > > > > > a. In case the candidate avails the services of his/her own > scribe/writer, > the scribe/writer should be one grade junior in academic qualification > than the candidate if from the same stream. However, this condition > shall > not apply if the scribe/writer is from a different stream. > > > > b. For competitive examinations the scribe needs to be one level below > the > eligibility criteria of the competitive exam in consideration. > > > > c. For internal exams of schools and colleges the condition of the > scribe > being one grade junior in academic qualification than the candidate > should > not be enforced strictly as this would cause undue hardship to the > candidate > and give rise to unviable solutions. > > > > > > *4. Scribes provided by Examining Authorities* > > > > a. Considering the practical problems, it is necessary that even if the > scribe is provided by the examination conducting authorities, at the > request > of examinee, such authorities must ensure the competence of the > scribe/writer. If the scribe is provided by the examining authorities, > it > should be ensured that the scribe is adequately qualified to understand > the > questions and to explain them to the candidate. > > > > b. To ensure the competence of such a scribe provided, the following > conditions should be adhered to: > > > > i. as far as possible and practical, the scribe himself/herself > should be a current student; > > > > ii. In any case, the time interval between when such a scribe > ceased > to be a student himself/herself and the time he/she is acting as a > scribe > should not be more than three years, because with the lapse of time, > natural > abilities of a student like writing speed, taking dictation and writing > an > examination efficiently in a specified time frame, suffer a considerable > decline. However strict adherence to this requirement cannot be > stretched > beyond a logical point. > > > > iii. The medium of instruction of the scribe in his/her studies > should > essentially be, or have been, the same as the examinee. > > > > iv. Scribe should, as far as possible, belong to the same stream as > the > examinee. > > > > v. In cases where the scribe is provided by exam conducting bodies > at > the request of the examinee, she/he should not have scored below 55% > marks > in the last exam. > > > > vi. While appointing a Scribe the mental capacity and maturity level > of > a scribe should be considered. > > > > c. the candidate must have a chance to meet the scribe a day before the > exam. This would ensure that the 2 get comfortable with one another. It > would also give the candidate a chance to check whether the scribe is > suitable. > > > > d. The examining body should identify the scribes/writers and make the > panels at district/Division or state level as per requirement of > examination. > > > > e. The Panels of scribe should be as per requirement of the > stream/discipline eg. Arts, Commerce, Science & Mathematics, > Engineering, > Medical etc. and only eligible scribes should be included in the panel. > > > > *5. Supervision * > > * * > > Any attempt at cheating and other malpractices can be curbed by ensuring > proper supervision and vigilance by the invigilators. This is the > responsibility of the Examining Authority. No restrictions should be > imposed > on the choice of a scribe by a candidate on this account. > > > *6. Additional time * > > a. The facility of Additional time must be allotted to all > Visually Disabled candidates appearing for examinations in any format > with > or without the use of a Scribe. > > b. For a written test of duration of 1 hour at least 30 > minutes extra time should be allotted. > > c. Similarly For written tests involving more than one or > less than one hour extra time should be worked out on the basis of 30 > minutes per one hour criteria. > > > > *7. Arrangements at the Examination* > > > > a. Proper sitting arrangement should be made before commencement of the > examination so as to avoid confusion and distraction. > > > > b. Sitting arrangements for the disabled candidates should be made on > the > ground floor, as far as possible. > > > > c. Refreshments, if any to scribes/writers should either are served > before > or after the examination and not during the examination. > > > > d. The Chief invigilator of the examination center should have > discretionary > powers to accept last minute change of scribes under exigencies. > > > > e. Considering the fact that many exams are held in overlapping > schedules > and also the fact that the scribes may not be free/willing to commit > themselves for the entire duration of exam or examination of various > languages, more than one person may be permitted to write different > papers > for the same examination, provided they fulfill all other conditions > laid > down in clauses 3 or 4 above. For enacting such a change in scribes for > different papers, the ground of contingency should not be a mandatory > requirement. > > > > f. The letter approving the scribe should contain the following > information > in writing: > > i. The extra time given to the candidate > > ii. He shall be seated separately > > iii. Contact address and phone number of competent authority should also > be > printed for last minute change of scribe. > > > > g. To minimize the need for last minute change in the scribe and in view > of > (e) above, a collective sanction letter may be issued, sanctioning > multiple > scribes proposed by the examinee, so that any of them may be called upon > to > act as the scribe in any particular paper, without the hassle of > formalities > involved in changing the scribe at the eleventh hour. > > > > > h. Candidate, scribe and supervisor should be provided with full > information > about the duration of the examination. > > > > > > *8. Aids and appliances * > > * * > > a. a. All Visually Disabled candidates may be allowed to carry special > mathematical aids such as Taylor's frame or abacus as they have no > fother > way of calculating sums. Neither abacus nor Taylor's frame calculate > the > sums but are mere aids such as a paper for candidates with vision. Other > equipments that should be allowed include welcrove board for drawing > diagrams and drawing wheel. > > > > > > b. in papers such as accounts the visually disabled candidate may be > allowed > to carry Braille slates and papers for writing the numbers as it is > difficult > to remember the balance sheets > > > > c. The visually disabled candidate should also be allowed to use > optical/ > electronic low vision aids such as magnifying glass; > > > > d. Visually Disabled candidates must be allowed the use of a talking > calculator in examinations in which the sighted candidates are allowed > to > use a calculator. > > * * > > *9. Alternative Formats * > > * * > > a. In addition to the facility of a scribe the Visually Disabled > candidates > have the facility to write answers in Braille or on a computer or a > typewriter or may ask for question paper in large font. > > > > b. Considering the developments in technology, all examination > conducting > bodies should facilitate the use of computers for taking the exams by > the > visually Disabled examinees, if the candidate so desires. > > > > c. Visually Disabled candidates appearing for "Open book Exams may be > provided the texts of such books in Braille, in digital format on the > computer or in large text at the choice of the candidate. > > > > *10. Examination in Braille * > > > > a. The question paper may be provided in Braille or in accessible > digital > text or a reader may be provided to read out the question paper. > > > b. the Reader must be chosen based on the guidelines suggested in Paras > 3 or > 4 as suggested hereinabove. C. Services of a Braille to print > transcriber > should be used to transcribe the answer sheet to normal print. > > > > c. this printed answer sheet may be sent for evaluation. > > > > d. Alternatively the answer paper in Braille should be evaluated by the > expert/examiners in Braille script. > > > > *11. Large Print * > > > > a. The font size of the question paper should not be less than 20 for > the > benefit of low vision candidates. However if the candidate requests for > an > alternative font size or style then he may be so provided. > > > > *1**2**. **Alternative Questions * > > > > a. Alternative questions must be provided in cases where the original > question contains visual elements and/or require the candidate to > interpret > or produce such visual elements. However the candidate may elect to > answer > the original question. > > > > b. The visual graphs should be supplemented by descriptive explanation > of > the graphs for visually Disabled candidates. > > > > c. For practical exams the Visually Disabled candidate must be allowed > the > help of a laboratory assistant to conduct the experiment and or be > provided > alternative oral questions in place of the experiment to be conducted. > Rules > relating to Scribes in Para 3 and 4 hereinabove should apply to the > laboratory Assistant. > > > > *1**3**. Examination on Computers * > > * * > > a. Visually Disabled candidates can appear in examination on the > computer > only if students are computer literate and can type at a reasonable > speed. > The software and hardware is now available to make students write their > examinations both in Hindi and English mediums > > > b. This form of examination is preferable than the use of scribes due to > the > following reasons: > > > > i. High payments being demanded by Scribes > > ii. Wasting crucial time just before the examinations just to look for > scribes. > > iii. Sexual harassment of girl students. > > iv. Losing marks due to mistakes of scribes or casual attitude of > scribes. > > v. Week students getting away with good marks by making their scribes > write > answers to questions that they do not know. > > > > c. The use of computers for examination does not mean that a scribe to > read > the question paper is dispensed with. However the candidate may not > require > a sighted person and dispense with the same. > > > > d. The responsibility to bring a computer is not on the student/ > candidate. > The centre/ Examining authority shall spare one of its own Computers for > the > exam. > > > > e. However if it is feasible then the candidate may be allowed to use > his > own computer. This may be decided by the candidate and the examining > authority mutually. > > > > f. the only responsibility that a student aspiring to give exam on > computer > has, is to bring the screen reading software. > > > > g. The candidate should be allowed to install the screen reading > software a > day in advance on the computer provided with printer installed > > > > h. Access to the computer is to be given at least 20 minutes before > start of > the examination. > > > > i . in case of power failure, the time of power failure is to be noted > and > the same amount of time augmented in the end time of the paper. > > > > j. recommended Equipment preparation: > > > > i. For each candidate appearing in the examination > two > computers may be set up for this purpose. One for writing the > examination > and one as stand-by in case of any failure in the machine. > > > ii. The computer should be of a configuration greater > than > the minimum required to support the screen reader. This is necessary > since > the student will be running other software as well so system resources > > iii. must be sufficient to run the operating system, the > screen reader and other software concurrently. > > iv. The computer must have the following software > installed: > > > > A. MS Office > > B. Page maker > > C. screen reading software. > > > > v. The medium of examination for the student can be in > Englishor Hindi > . > > > > vi. All the data on the Computer must be password protected using the > utility software called Folder Access. This software can make any folder > access limited by password. > > > > vii. UPS with back-up of 2 hours must be installed and connected at the > centre. Enough power back-up needs to be provided for the examination > centre. > > > > > viii. Two printers may be kept for taking the final print-outs of the > answer > sheets. > > > > k. Recommended procedure for examination: > > > > l. The computer centre or the library may be designated as one of the > examination centres for conducting the examination. > > > > m. Question paper must be sent to this Centre on a CD. > > > > n. question paper should be given as a computer document in MS word or > htm > format. > > > > o. If question paper cannot be provided in accessible format, then a > reader > is to be provided to read out the question paper. > > > > p. if the question paper is in an inaccessible to screen reader format > for > eg. page-maker file format then The paper requires to be converted > into a screen > reader accessible file. The original file may be opened in the page > maker > software. Each page of the question paper must be copied and pasted in > the > MS word document. > > > > q. if the candidate is appearing in English Medium, the screen reader > software > may speak gibberish where Hindi text appears, all Hindi language text > must > be deleted from the question paper. > > > r. This MS word file must be password protected. > > > > s. Answer sheet- One blank MS-word document may be created on the > Computer and > shortcut to this may be created on the desk-top. This blank document > must > have the paper size and margins set according to the extension sheets of > the > answer sheet on which the final print-out will be taken. Viii. The > role-number and other details of the candidate must be filled on the > original > sheet by the invigilator using normal pen. These extension sheets must > be stapled > with each sheet of the original answer sheet. Each sheet must be signed > by > the invigilator. > > > > t. The candidate must be allowed to have access to the Computer 20 > minutes > before the start of examination time. > > > > u. At the time of start of examination, the password for the question > paper > file must be told to the candidate. > > > > > > *14. On line Exams* > > > > All Examining Authorities conducting online exams must follow the > guidelines > stated hereinabove to the extent practicable. It is the responsibility > of > the Examining Authorities to make their websites, question papers and > all > other study material accessible i.E. designed and available in > accessible > format. Examining Authorities must follow international rules, > guidelines > and standards laid down in this behalf. The candidate must be able to do > the > exam on his own. > > Conclusion > > > > The paramount purpose of the Policy is to alleviate the hardship being > caused to the Visually disabled candidate due to uncertainty in policy > and > to mitigate the effects of a disability. > > > > > > Drafted by Kanchan Pamnani, Advocate and solicitor > > Experienced and contributed by Members of Accessindia, > [email protected] > > Researched and Compiled by Xaviers Resource Centre for the Visually > Challenged, ST. Xaviers college, 5 Mahapalika MargMumbai > > > To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.i > n > > Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential > and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they > are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, > use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information > contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly > prohibited. If you have received this email by error, please notify us > by return e-mail or telephone and immediately and permanently delete the > message and any attachments. The recipient should check this email and > any attachments for the presence of viruses. 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