Given the flare in COVID infections we, the concerned parents, urge the NIOS board and the education minister to help differently-abled students and promote disabled learners who will take the 10th and 12th board exams to protect them from the second wave of the pandemic in 2021. They can be promoted on the basis of their Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) and Practical board Examination marks which were awarded to the students in 2020 for the exams already. 

Under the shadow of the pandemic, we need the NIOS to promote disabled learners instead of insisting that they physically take the exams. Special needs students are faced with severe challenges to take the NIOS board exam. They are:

Social distancing issues: Many of the students have speech disorders like slurring, speaking in weak vocals and so on. The scribes will have to sit very close to them to listen and write the exam. Social distancing is compromised by this and puts both the special students and scribes at risk.

Comorbidity issues: Many special students also have comorbidity problems that make them vulnerable to infections easily than the generally healthy members of the population.

Sensory issues: Autistic people have severe sensory issues. This makes it difficult for many of them to wear masks over their faces which increases their anxiety levels, claustrophobic fears and leads to sensory distress. Sitting for three hours, wearing face masks in an exam centre is stifling and distressing for them to endure.