Mail News Service
Seraikela, May 23: Four visually challenged students Sushmita Sahu (55%) of KBPSDSS School Seraikela, Mukesh Baskey (52%) and Shiv Shankar Mahto (48%) of Bhadrudih Upgraded High School and Vikas Lohar (66%) of Nityanand Utkramit High School, Sindri passed their matriculation examinations.
 Sushmita Sahu, a resident of Kudarsai village, who had normal vision gradually started losing sight and presently is unable to read or write. As a result, she had to take the assistance of a Reader provided under Inclusive Education norms prepared for her matriculation examination.
The Reader was paid an annual fee of Rs 3,500. These visually challenged students were provided Shruti Writers to answer their exam papers. It may be mentioned that Shruti Writers jot the verbal answers of the visually challenged students and are provided under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act – 2016.
The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) Ranchi guidelines mention that physically challenged students bereft of the ability to write, aree to be provided with the facility of Shruti writers who are allowed to sit with the challenged students. The students are to be provided extra time of 20 minutes for every hour and should be accommodated in separate rooms for answering the papers.