Odisha HSC exams: BSE gears up to curb malpractices

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Feb 6:

To curb malpractice in the annual High School Certificate (HSC) examinations scheduled to begin in Odisha from February 23, the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) has formed a three-tier squad.

“Like the previous year, we are going to implement the three-tier squad system this year. The first tier comprises of the tehsildar and BDO. We have requested the district administration to give magisterial powers to these two officials who would monitor the examinations at various centre. We have included District Education Officers (DEOs) in the second-tier squad who would form separate squads and pay surprise visits to the examination centres in their respective districts. Besides, the Board has also formed another tier of central squad comprising 60 teams, which would tour all the districts and inspect examination proceedings at different centres,” BSE president Prof Dakshya Prasad Nanda told the media today.

He said the Board, for the first time, has decided to appoint a full-time observer at the sensitive centres till the conclusion of the examinations.

Nanda said like the last year, the Board had decided to make experimental video recording at some sensitive centres this year.

He also informed that the Board had asked the district administration and the DEOs for strict implementation of Examination Act, 1988 under which there can be no public gathering within 100 metres of the examination centre and the police can arrest those who violate the Act.

“Besides, the Act also stipulates exemplary action against any teacher, including the centre superintendent and the invigilators, if they encourage malpractice during the examination,” Nanda pointed out.