article on evil of cheating in exams
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Cheating in examinations exposes the sad underbelly of the present examination system. Unfortunately, the malady has become so endemic that a few years ago the Supreme Court had a strong verdict to serve a message to academic institutions to take all steps to stop malpractices in examinations: “if a country is to progress, we must maintain high educational standards, and this is only possible if malpractices in examinations are curbed with an iron hand”.
But at a time when the entire country is faced with the terrible monster called “corruption”, does it not seem difficult to eradicate the evil of malpractices in examination?
It is not only Indian students who cheat during examinations; students of foreign countries have turned cheating into a national art form. According to a report in the ‘Varsity’ newspaper, a survey has revealed that almost 49 per cent of Cambridge students have plagiarised work. Cheating in exams include formulae, quotations, often complete sets of answers hidden in their personal clothing.
Tricks ranging from using modern calculators having the power of small computers, mobile phones etc. to frequent visits to the toilet where the walls are plastered with answers, are widely followed. An exhibition in Barcelona some years ago showcased 105 ways of cheating in examinations and equipments included miniature microphones and “informative spectacles”. Here one could be more used to seeing micro-mini cheats, writing on the wall and exchanging question and answer papers. Shoes, socks, writing boards – they were all storing places. Impersonation in exam halls is quite common. A student who denounces a cheat is seen as socially immature and someone who has not integrated collective values.
Interestingly, it would pay to keep greater vigil in front of toilets that in the examination halls, as sheets of pages are conveniently tucked behind the cistern so that examinees may easily gain access to answers while taking a small break. Even parents and teachers do act as accomplices in cheating. “Sorry, Sir” and “I was not doing ,Sir” are the common excuses when an examinee is found cheating. The invigilator, in turn, often pardons the guilty, and the act of apologising and pardoning continues until the final bell rings. However, during the process, the serious students writing their papers honestly are always the sufferers and they feel demoralised.
Earlier there had been arrests. Offenders had been kept sometimes in police custody and granted bail. That was decades ago. Somewhere along the way priorities turned topsy-turvy. The stakes in examinations became high, given the cut-throat competition in job markets. Quite succinctly, muscle-flexing and arm-twisting the authorities became the order of the day. Students started threatening invigilators of dire consequences. They are even beaten up if they haul up offenders. Invigilators often turn a blind eye to the racket in the hall. Sometimes students go berserk and even destroy the property of the institution.
The UGC favours a minimum examination reform programme and framing a suitable regulation to curb malpractices. It has asked universities to take strict measures on their own: “Universities must take all steps for the smooth conduct of examinations such as effective security measures, proper supervision and invigilation, cordoning off the examination centres from the range of loud speakers and other interference, flying squads and stern action in all cases involving copying and use of unfair means.”
Education consists of teaching, learning and assessment leading to evaluation. Therefore, all elements that come before the conduct of examinations should be toned up to reduce the chances of malpractices. Relevant and meaningful curriculum will definitely help reduce the evil of copying in exams. Proper infrastructure, deep association of teachers and tutors, orientation received by students, meaningful pattern of question papers and standard conduct of examinations would also work effectively. What constitutes unfair means and the penalty they entail should be prominently displayed on notice boards. A thorough search of examinees may be conducted before they enter the exam hall. There should be appeals to parents, the local community and the representatives of the people in regard to curbing unfair means.
What follows then are evaluation, revaluation, disposing of unfair means and declaration of results. At this level also, efforts can be made to find out cases of unfair means.
Using unfair means in exams erodes self-worth and confidence and renders a person incapable of self-reliance later in life. Let&’s hope the students today realise and hold on to their conviction till the end of their student life.