Students in India can now carry glucometers and strips, medicines, snacks and water
India has the largest number of children with diabetes, but the country’s education system, like many others in the world, did not allow the students to carry their diabetes supplies and hypo snacks, and use them during exams.
This caused great agony and concern amongst the parents and students alike. If the student has high or low blood glucose levels during exams, they may not know or be able to take corrective action. This had implications on both the chances of medical emergencies and also the students’ performance in exams. It is stressful to not be able to know your numbers. A high or low blood glucose level can impact the student’s ability to perform well in the competitive exams affecting their chances of further studies and placements.
After efforts by diabetes advocacy organizations in India, and with the Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology behind the movement, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued a directive (copy available at: https://ispae.org.in/kendriya-vidyalaya-kv-directive-for-t1d-care-at-school/) to the country’s schools and examination boards, that directs them to allow students to carry diabetes supplies in the exam hall.
The supplies are to be kept with the invigilator or teacher and used by the student when needed. The directive specifies snacks, water, glucometers (including CGMs and readers or smartphones for use with CGMs), test strips, insulin and other medicines as well as glucose tablets.
While this is a huge step forward, a lot still needs to be done – the directive has to be turned into a policy to ensure implementation across the various schools and regions and is not forgotten over time. Efforts are underway for the purpose.
While many advocates feel that they should be allowed to keep the supplies with them instead of handing them over to the teacher or invigilator, it may take some time for schools and exam boards to understand the implications and allow for such a provision. Nonetheless, the NCPCR directive serves as the first step in the right direction!
Advocacy Action: Do schools and exam boards in your country allow students with diabetes to carry their supplies during classes and exams? If not, write letters and submit petitions to your exam boards about the issues this restriction can cause for students with diabetes and advocate with them to remove it. You may like to read more and use a copy of the Indian directive to support your advocacy.