There are three kinds of students in a class. One’s the diligent know-it-all, the second’s the average hardworking one and the third’s the laid-back last-bencher. And the level of studying varies accordingly as well. While the first two will try their best to cover all corners by studying, the last one will do the same by stashing up on cheating material. However, a group of last-benchers in Gujarat went a little over-the-top in that aspect.
According to Times of India, Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board officials seized over 200 kg of cheating materials. N.C. Shah, vice-chairman of the board said,
“We summoned 15 students who were allegedly cheating and we will also summon all the supervisors and the centre coordinator on May 31.”
This astonishing report came into light at a hearing of the examination committee of the Gujarat Board. Officials said that they had acquired 20 sacks full of chits, which were micro-sized photocopies of answers.
This whole fiasco had occurred at an examination centre in Vanthali Town of Junagadh. B.S. Kella, who is the district education officer of Junagadh, said that,
“We received many complaints about irregularities in the exam held at Swaminarayan Gurukul, the exam centre concerned. When we reached there on March 14 as the class X exams were on, we found roads covered with small white papers, which were nothing but the copy materials dropped by the students.”
The point of concern was not only the students, who for the record have no sense of road cleanliness, but also the exam centre. That’s because Swaminarayan Gurukul was first de-listed as a centre for board exams in 2009. However, they held exams this year again, thereby leading many to believe that the centre is involved in the cheating process as well.
After reports of malpractice came in, Kella had warned the class 12 science students to empty their pockets before the exam begins. While some complied, the truth came out once they frisked the students during the exam.
“We had filed copy cases against 15 students and started collecting the copy materials which were either submitted by the students or found by the board officials. We ended up collecting 200 kg of chits.”
In all my years of hearing about education in India, this has to be the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve seen people desperately trying to get the passing grades, but 200 kg of chits is simply too much.
These students have their whole life ahead of them and they should be handled appropriately. Additionally, the officials should look into the quality of education the teachers are providing because they’re responsible for forcing the students to rely on chits.