Days after a desperate SSLC student defecated during his chemistry exam after being denied permission to use the bathroom, the Kerala Education Department has issued a circular to prevent such a situation from arising again. In the circular dated March 21, the Department has directed authorities to allow class 10 students writing their board exams to be allowed to use the toilet.
“The Chief Superintendent has to make available the school toilet facility to those students who request for it during the exam. The Chief Superintendent must also ensure that all facilities are offered to students to enable them to write the exams without any mental pressure,” the circular issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Government Examinations read.
The Education Department’s circular also added that drinking water facilities must be mandatorily provided to all students writing their SSLC exam, considering the extreme summer Kerala is currently witnessing.
TNM had earlier reported on the student from Kadakkal in Kollam who was forced to defecate in the exam hall after he was denied a bathroom break by the invigilator multiple times. According to his parents, the invigilator had not consulted the Chief Superintendent or the Deputy Superintendent regarding the student’s request for a bathroom break.
The boy’s parents have filed a police complaint as well, but requested for the investigation to be done only after the exams conclude so as to not increase stress on the child.
The Kerala Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson P Suresh has also registered a complaint against the invigilator with the Commission.
Students with diabetes allowed food inside exam hall
Earlier this month, the Education Department had issued another circular, asking authorities to allow student with Type 1 Diabetes to bring food to the exam hall. The circular was dispatched to all Deputy Directors of Education, District Education Officers and Chief Superintendents in the state.
“As per the Kerala Social Security Mission’s ‘Mithai’ scheme, all students affected by Type 1 Diabetes and taking insulin treatment, who are writing their 10th standard board exam must be allowed, without restrictions, to bring to the exam hall, the below mentioned food items,” the circular read.
The circular states that students can carry:
Students have been instructed to submit a medical certificate issued by a government doctor and take permission from the Chief Superintendent to bring food into the hall. The invigilators meanwhile, have been asked to handle things in a way that do not disturb or affect students writing their exam in the same hall.