Not just students, exam centre staff to pay for mass cheating also

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has decided to take some strict measures to curb copying during exams this year.

In case a centre is found to be involved in mass copying, the entire staff of the school will be changed. However, in case of sensitive science stream centres, only the teachers will be transferred.

For this purpose, the board has decided to keep more personnel in reserve this year. If required, GSHSEB will also deploy officials from other departments even though it has around two lakh teachers. There will not be any local squad this year.

Traditionally, each checking squad is allotted three examination centres. This year, there will an additional special flying squad, which will take immediate action in case any irregularity is brought to their notice.

"To curb the menace of cheating we are also going to deploy a class one officer in every sensitive examination centre," said Hansmukh Adhia, chairman of GSHSEB.

He said that in last two-three years although they have failed to put a stop on copying, the number of cases has dropped immensely. In 2003, more than 3,000 such cases had been registered, while last year it was around 70."

Besides copycats, the board has also decided to take strict action against schools.

Adhia said that a circular has been sent to schools stating that the school administration will also be held responsible in case of malpractices in the centre.