Ranchi: Twelve blind students are appearing in the ongoing class 10 board examination, an official said here on Wednesday.

"This year we have given permission to 12 blind students to appear in the class 10 examination. Special arrangements have been made for these students," chairperson of Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) Shaligram Yadav told sources.

He said last year five blind students appeared for the board exams and secured first class. "We rewarded them with Radhakrishana Award and this led to more students expressing their interest in appearing for the exam this year."

A blind student Poonam Toppo of Urusiline convent school in Ranchi said: "We are happy to appear in the board examination. We want to pursue studies and do something different in our lives."

Murari Kumar, another blind student appearing for the board exam, said: "I want to be a teacher to teach the blind students." IANS