T’puram: The state human rights commission (SHRC) has urged that additional time for exams should be granted to CBSE students with type-1 diabetes, as is provided to state govt students. SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas ordered that this request be considered urgently and seriously. The directive was given to the CBSE secretary and the Kerala regional director.

The commission stated that not allowing extra time for exams to students with type-1 diabetes violates their right to equality. If the CBSE board continues this approach towards affected students, it would constitute a legal violation, it stated.

The state govt currently grants an additional 20 minutes per hour for exams to students with medical conditions in classes X and XII, and this has recently been extended to vocational higher secondary exams as well.

Bushra Shihab, an official from Type-1 Diabetes Foundation who filed the complaint, was advised by the commission to apply to the CBSE secretary. Upon receiving the application, it should be forwarded to experts at institutions like All India Institute for Medical Sciences for advice, which should then be communicated to the complainant.

The commission has asked for a decision to be made within two months after hearing the complainant via video conference, emphasizing that children’s right to live with dignity should not be violated. The decision should be reported to the SHRC.

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