Disability activists have welcomed the move by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to do away with hands-on practical components in basic sciences for visually-impaired students (class 11 and 12) and replaced it with a multiple-choice question paper instead.

Disability activists say this will not help visually-challenged students to develop an interest in basic sciences. "It is a positive step and can help students with visual disabilities to be on a par with others in the technical sense. But, there is a difference between seeing the moon and having others describe it for you," said Jaladhi Umashankar, who teaches history at a government high school in a village near Tiruttani.

Earlier this week, CBSE chairman Vineet Joshi in his Vision 2012 letter to principals of all schools affiliated to the board said he hopes the move would help more such students to take up science at the secondary school level.

The change will come into effect from the end of the current academic year for class 11 students and 2012-13 for class 12 students. Most students with visual disabilities prefer to stay away from science because they would not be able to get the desired experience.

Some activists, however, have raised questions about how effective the move would be since practicals for students in CBSE schools start in class 9.

Anil Prabhakar, trustee, Chetana Charitable Trust, which works to increase awareness and access to learning for all, does not believe that this will motivate students with visual disabilities to pursue basic sciences in higher studies.

"Our tactile books teach children with visual disabilities the different phases of the moon through cut shapes. The correct way to go about this would be to find out alternatives to teach the same concepts. We need to give modified practicum for such children."

Joshi also said the board would start a 24/7 call centre for schools to facilitate frequent communication with it. The call centre is likely to become operational from February 15.

Most students with visual disabilities prefer to stay away from science because they would not be able to get the desired experience