In a welcome move, the Central Board of Secondary Education has announced that it will allow students suffering from type-1 diabetes to have snacks during Class X and Class XII Board examinations.
PTI reported that a circular has been issued by the CBSE, which says that many children are diabetic and they require frequent meals to avoid hypoglycemia, which may prove to be a deterrent to their performance.
"Among all the diabetic population of our country, there are sizeable number of children who are suffering with type-1 diabetes who need insulin injections at regular intervals to manage their blood glucose level, these children need frequent meals to avoid hypoglycaemia which may otherwise affect their health/performance," a release from the CBSE read.
The circular said that students suffering from this condition will be allowed to bring sugar tablets, fruits, snacks and water into the exam hall.
There are several rules for students who want to bring in food though.
The principal of the school should be informed about the student’s health condition beforehand. A medical certificate by a diabetologist carrying information on the diabetic history, the nature of diabetes and the need for having meal during exams should be provided to the principal.
In the exam hall, the snacks will have to be kept with the invigilator, who will hand over the food to the examinees when required.
The Times of India reported the decision was taken after a proposal was sent by the Delhi Diabetes Research Centre. The body has said that a long gap between meals led to headaches, irritability and restlessness among others.
A Telegraph report said that prevalence of type-1 diabetes among children ranges from 18 in one lakh children in Karnataka to three in one lakh children in Chennai and 10 in one lakh children in Haryana.
The following is the list of items that students with type-1 diabetes will be allowed to bring:
Sugar tablets/Chocolate/Candy
Fruits like Banana/Apple/Orange
Snack items like Sandwich
Small bottle of water (500 ml.)