The parents of students with disabilities are forced to pay them the amounts they ask, to ensure their kids get a good writer during the HSC examinations
HSC exams
If appearing for the board exams is not worrisome enough, many students also have to worry about their dependence on a stranger to write their papers. The demand for writers is increasing with every passing year, and colleges and parents are not happy about the commercialisation of this profile, as many writers have started demanding higher payments.
Sudarshan Shetty, a student of Shardashram Vidyamandir Junior college who met with an accident before appearing for his HSC exams, sat in an ambulance and wrote his answer paper with the help of a writer. File picture for representation
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While the Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has stipulated Rs 200 per paper for writers, some parents have highlighted how some writers are demanding as much as Rs 2,000-3,000 per paper. Helpless, most parents end up paying this amount just to make sure that their children get a good writer for the board exams.
“The board rule specifies that a writer should be from a grade lower than that of the candidate, and the student can nominate a writer and get the same approved by the board. Writers have become quite smart these days, and easily demand more money, knowing that the HSC students and parents will fall prey,” said the principal of a south Mumbai college.
She added that many students also lure board examinees with ‘special offers’ studying the HSC syllabus. “Parents have also told me that some Std XI students have agreed to study the Std XII syllabus for the benefit of the candidate, justify the extra money they charge,” added the principal.
Finding an appropriate writer for their children is also a big deal for parents. “My daughter met with an accident just three days before the board exams were scheduled to begin and she needed a writer. We posted this message on all social networking sites and the ones who came forward asked for R600-750 per paper. We agreed, because we had no option,” said the mother of an HSC student.
“The fact that writers are now ready to study board exam portion shows the desperate need for the state board to put in a screening process. This will ensure rules are followed and that parents don’t get fleeced,” added another principal.
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