Process of authorizing scribes for blind students of Punjab University made easier

Good news for visually impaired students of Punjab University and its associated colleges! The university has made the process of authorising a scribe or writer for their exams. This news comes just weeks before the first exam on 7 June.

Visually impaired students can now get the approval of the coordinator of the examination centre for their chosen writer 15 minutes before the exam begins.

The earlier system required students to prepare a letter and submit it to their respective departments at the university with required documents, educational qualification of their writer, and a photo identity card. They had to get this letter approved by the Controller of Examinations (CoE) and centre superintendent and coordinator hours before the exam.

The new system has been communicated to all principals, chairpersons, and directors of the affiliated colleges and departments as well in a circular which says –

The university has authorised all the chief coordinators to give permission for writer to all the blind candidates (private/USOL/regular) provisionally on spot – Punjab University

The attested proforma can be given later to the university for record-keeping or final approval. This will make things much easier for outstation students as well as those studying in affiliated colleges.

The Equal Opportunity Cell of the Punjab University is also creating a writers’ bank for visually impaired students, in case a writer does not turn up on the day of the examination.

Students are free to choose their own writer. Earlier, the university would arrange for writers, but sometimes they would not be qualified enough.

Students are happy with this move. They have also asked that their demand for online examination for visually impaired students should be given top priority. This way they can write the paper on their own without relying on a scribe.

Some tips for disabled students on using a scribe effectively