Mid-Exam Snacks for Diabetic Students: CBSE on Class 10 & 12 Board Exams

As a relief for students with type-1 diabetes, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has announced that such students will now be allowed to have a mid-exam snack during the class X and XII board exams period.

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Dr. Jhingan said that these children need insulin 30 minutes before eating anything. So without any snacks between 9 a.m and 10 a.m, the sugar level of these students could drop. As a result, they can become irritable and therefore not be able to concentrate on their studies/exam properly.

He further added that most of the schools usually permit such students to have light food after two hours so as to prevent their sugar levels from falling down. The study has found that many students face similar problems and these affected students feel the urge to leave the exam hall an hour early.

CBSE took the move after Dr. Ashok Jhingan, chairperson of the Delhi Diabetes Research Centre, had approached the board with the results of a study conducted on several Kendriya Vidyalaya students.

The study found that students with type-1 diabetes who depend on insulin injections suffer from problems like-

• Headaches
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Confusion

Jhinganfurther said that if the exam starts at 10 in the morning, then these children have to take their insulin shots at around 8.30 a.m. The performance level of these diabetic students decreases after 11 a.m, whereas they have to sit for a three-hour-long exam till 1 p.m.

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CBSE may also advise principals of the schools to allow the same during regular school times like it is practised in the United States. Chairman of CBSE, RK Chaturvedi said that they will probably issue a detailed notification on the matter next week as they are working out on the details of the same.