Special educators in Tiruchi have expressed concern over the lack of support for children with intellectual disability and on the autism spectrum attending mainstream schools as they are being asked to make private arrangements for writing exams in senior classes.Approximately 25 to 30 senior school students with special needs in Tiruchi are estimated to be affected this year as scribes who can help them to write exams are not easily available.“Most mainstream schools are ready to admit children with special needs in the lower classes. However, they are turned away when they reach the senior classes. Though it is mandatory under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan rules for schools to provide special educators, this is not happening in reality. In fact, there’s a kind of ‘reverse rejection’ taking place in the senior classes with regard to children with intellectual disability in mainstream education,” C. Shanthakumar, Director of Spastics Society of Tiruchi (SST), told The Hindu.At present, students with special needs can attempt exams either with the help of scribes, or by requesting for an hour’s extension to write the answers on their own. “Special needs children usually drop out of the education system when their parents cannot afford to engage private scribes for exams. This issue has been raised for several years by rehabilitation and special schools, but has not been addressed by the authorities,” said Praveena Carmel, founder–director, The Dolphin Special School and Centre.Scribes need to have a good bond with their special needs student in order to understand their answers and put them down on paper, said educators. “Students who are uncomfortable with their scribes tend to fare badly in exams, because of the communication gap,” said Jancy Paulrani, special educator, Holy Cross NEST. “A separate syllabus should be formulated for special needs children so they can appear for exams with greater confidence,” she added. Published - July 24, 2026 07:16 pm IST