QUETTA: Authorities in Balochistan have set up a dedicated examination centre for students with disabilities in Quetta for the first time, aiming to make exams more accessible and inclusive.
The centre provides facilities tailored to students’ needs, including trained staff, sign language support and simplified question papers. Officials say the move has boosted students’ confidence and made exams easier than before.
The facility was established through collaboration between the Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education and the Balochistan Disabled Persons Complex Special Education. For the first time, special students are taking exams in a separate centre with dedicated supervision and support services.
Haneefa, a ninth-grade student from Shabo Special School, welcomed the initiative. She said she previously had to sit exams at regular centres alongside mainstream students, where she faced serious difficulties.
“Now we have special education staff who guide us through sign language, explain the questions and provide additional support,” she said. “It has made the exam much easier.”
Students said they earlier received standard curriculum papers designed for mainstream candidates, which proved difficult to solve. Under the new system, the board and special education staff have prepared adapted syllabi and simplified papers. These include multiple-choice questions and other formats aligned with students’ abilities.
Haroon Khan, Deputy Director Research at the Balochistan board, said the initiative reflects the provincial government’s vision to ensure equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities.
He said the curriculum follows the national framework but educators adapt it to match students’ capabilities. Authorities also design question papers to help students demonstrate their skills more effectively.
Special needs students from across Balochistan are traveling to Quetta to sit exams at the new center. Officials plan to establish similar facilities at divisional headquarters throughout the province to expand access.
Education authorities have deployed specially trained and experienced staff at the center to assist students throughout the examination process.
Officials say the initiative aims to build students’ confidence, integrate them into the mainstream and improve their future employment prospects.
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Parents and students have praised the move, saying the dedicated examination centre has made the assessment process more accessible and effective, and will likely improve academic performance and self-confidence.
