'Fake' flying squad checks for exam malpractices

A former member of the state board has complained against a 'fake' flying squad that visited two schools in the western suburbs under the pretence of inspecting exam halls during board examinations.

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary Higher Secondary Education appoints the board members and education officials to flying squads for conducting surprise checks on examination centres and crack down on malpractices, if any, during SSC and HSC exams. But this particular squad seemed self-appointed.

Board member Uday Nare, who came to know that the squad that inspected the classrooms in the two schools was not genuine, said, "The squad had a few people and a school principal. They visited two schools and portrayed themselves as members of flying squads, when in fact they were not even appointed. I have written to the board secretary about this fake squad. We don't know what the the school principal's intention was in visiting those specific schools."

Board secretary for Mumbai division, SY Chandekar, was not available for comment.