The MSBSHSE (Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education) tracked 42 cheating incidents on day 1 of Class 12 (Higher Secondary Certificate) board exams, which started on 11th February (Tuesday). According to PTI, almost 15 lakh students took the first paper across 3373 exam centers situated in nine divisions within the state. Though strict actions were taken to avoid use of any unfair means, cheating incidents were recorded from 19 exam centers.
The chairperson of the Maharashtra State Board, Sharad Gosavi, made a statement assuring that the cheating incidents are being looked into. He further started that if these cased were revealed by center supervisors, it would not have been necessary to take any further action.
The Chief Minister Devandra Fadnavis held a discussion regarding the topic of smooth and fair examinations, stating that more measures need to be implemented to ensure transparency. He further made a warning directed at exam centers that if caught encouraging mass cheating they will have to go through approval cancellation, while the concerned staffs and teachers would be terminated.
To prevent cheating during exams, a 100-metre no-entry zone has been implemented in the area near exam centers, not allowing unauthorized people to be near the exam centers. The district collectors were also advised to guide special squads which would overlook and monitor exam centers an hour prior to the exam timing. The squads are to be on alert till all answer sheets are submitted to the custodian.
Fadnavis also said, “Drone surveillance has been deployed at sensitive centres, while special squads are closely monitoring the examination process.”
