Cheaters are going to have it tough: Board chairperson

Ujjwaladevi Patil promises crackdown on copying, banks on vigilance committees, 'sitting squads' to do the trick

As the HSC examinations begin today, once again the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has become the centre of attention, as this office is responsible for conducting the exams in a free and fair manner.

A day before the exams began, MiD DAY caught up with board chairperson Ujjwaladevi Patil to know her strategy for the exams season. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

What is your biggest concern regarding the forthcoming exams?
It would definitely be curbing cheating during exams as that is one avoidable menace I wish to remove. Though I had wanted to introduce very radical reforms, such as the ones I had implemented during my tenure in Kolhapur, that couldn't happen this year due to certain reservations. Nevertheless, we have started a few extra measures for improving security and reducing copying during exams. Our special focus is on those centres that are repeat offenders and we will cancel them if these are found to be involved in cheating this year as well.

What are the new measures taken for curbing copying at centres?
We used to have the flying squads, consisting of officials who go on surprise visits from one centre to another to catch cheating students red-handed. In areas that we know are problematic, like sensitive exam centres, we will have the sitting squads, or people from the board office who would be present all the time. An important decision we took is appointing a local vigilance committee of the local sarpanch, corporator, NGO's, et cetera, who will keep outsiders away from every exam centre. What happens, especially in rural areas, is that students pass on chits through windows, or people waiting outside solve the paper and pass on answersheets. We hardly have a policeman or two per centre and that's why these committees will help in keeping crowds away.

What are the measures taken by the board to reduce pressure on students?
This year we published the tentative timetable months in advance so that students have a fair idea of the exam schedule and prepare accordingly. Secondly, we have kept a gap of at least one day between exams so that students get a break and can prepare well. Besides that, we have started helplines for students to call us in times of stress. As special incentives, we have introduced relaxations for autistic students this year, besides existing concessions to physically handicapped and dyslexic students.

What happens if a student fails in one subject?
At the HSC level, there is no system of ATKT, but at the SSC level, we have allowed ATKT in two subjects. The students will be allowed to take admission to Std XI and clear the remaining two subjects in a year's time if they want to take the HSC exams the following year. Also, the students wouldn't have to give oral and practical exams again; the marks would be carried forward to the next year.

What is your advice to students?
Don't cheat and attempt the paper honestly. The punishment for cheating is severe and is displayed at all exam centres. From a minimum of losing an entire academic year to serious consequences like a prison sentence of six months and getting barred from exams for three years, cheating can be disastrous to your career. In case of confusion, call our helpline.