In a bid to make examination centers more accessible for students with disabilities, Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has issued a fresh set of guidelines to schools in the state.

The new guidelines, issued on January 4, add to the board's already extensive list of policies to make exam halls inclusive for all.

From scribe allotment to extra time for exams, here are some highlights from the new guidelines:

• The schools must try, as far as possible, to conduct exams for students with disabilities on the ground floor. Use of prosthetics, hearing aid, orthotics, and similar assistive aid must also be allowed to such candidates.

• Extra time of 20 minutes should be given to persons with disabilities who fit the eligibility criteria for bringing a scribe to write their exam. They can also bring different scribes for different papers.

• The candidate is free to opt for his/her own scribe. If assigned by the examination center, the candidate must be allowed to meet the scribe two days prior to the exam date.

• Any last-minute changes in scribe forced by unforeseen circumstances must be promptly facilitated by the examination center.

The new examination guidelines also focus on eliminating any chances of a candidate misusing the facility of the scribe. It clearly states that, "the qualification of the scribe should be one step below the qualification of the candidate taking the exam", with matriculate being the lowest qualification allowed.

All examination bodies and recruitment agencies that come under the Ministry's control have been advised to ensure compliance of the said guidelines.