Dyslexic seeks SC nod to use calculator in exam

Can a dyslexic student be allowed to use a calculator in an examination?

Can a dyslexic student be allowed to use a calculator in an examination?

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Pranjay Jain, a Class XII student from Panchukula in Haryana, has moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) to permit him to use a calculator to overcome his disability. He has sought permission to use a calculator at least in Mathematics paper scheduled for March 22.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan agreed to take up Jain’s case on Friday after senior counsel J.L. Gupta sought an urgent hearing.

The CBSE had turned the dyslexia-afflicted boy’s plea for using a calculator and the high court later upheld the decision.

But Gupta contended that the CBSE’s decision not to allow Jain to use of calculator was violative of his fundamental rights.

“Right to education has been recognised as a fundamental rights under Article 21 and 21A of the Constitution. CBSE’s rejection of the request of the petitioner is illegal, unjust, unfair and arbitrary, being violative of the provisions of the Constitution,” Gupta said.

According to the petitioner, the CBSE’s action was contrary to its own circular enunciating its policy decision with regard to inclusive education of children with disabilities.