Ethics must to end malpractice

“Technology can’t be the end of all malpractices in examinations. It can only act as a deterrent. It is only the inculcation of strong ethical and moral values in human beings involved in examination processes which can end malpractices in examinations.”

This statement is part of the draft report by a high-level-committee which was formed a few months ago to look into various information and communication technologies to overhaul the various state university’s examination systems, after a number of paper leaks this year.

IT secretary of Maharashtra, Rajesh Aggarwal, was the chairman of the 19-member committee which drafted the report.

“Moral and ethical values are important not only for officials involved with the exams, but for all stakeholders in the education system, which includes students, parents and coaching centres as well,” he said.

The committee, which includes vice-chancellors and exam-controllers of state varsities, have thus shifted the spotlight back from the system to the people who run it.

The committee has a good reason to do so. For instance, one of Mumbai university’s engineering examination paper leaks this year was traced back to a teacher working at a coaching centre, while in another, a temporary exam house employee was found to be involved in paper leaks in the past.

Also, when a paper was accidentally leaked at a Bhiwandi college, a group of teachers and students concealed the information without understanding the gravity of the situation.

The committee has also suggested ways to inculcate moral and ethical values among staff in universities. Experts feel that universities must ensure permanent, trained and experienced staff for examination work. Also, accountability at all levels should be defined.