Use technology to make exam system foolproof : The Tribune India

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Use technology to make exam system foolproof

The leak of examination papers, as recurrent phenomena is a sign of a growing malaise in our society. One that thrives on deceit, manipulation, arm-twisting and callous treatment of victims, in this case students.



The leak of examination papers, as recurrent phenomena is a sign of a growing malaise in our society. One that thrives on deceit, manipulation, arm-twisting and callous treatment of victims, in this case students. This is an extremely grave consequence of an education system gone horribly wrong. Have administrators and education officials taken responsibility for this leak? Should they not take it up on a war footing and bring the culprits to book? Doing a retest and rescheduling the exam are hardly a solution. Unless the act of paper leak is not assigned, the tag of criminality of the highest order, these incidents will only rise in frequency and magnitude. We have to put pressure on the system to bust such rackets that have made education a lucrative business. Overall, there must be a zero tolerance policy driven through civil society. We as a country have to demonstrate our desire for a clean education system.

Atul Khanna, Director, Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh


Big jolt for stakeholders

Trust in the system of evaluation is most important for an effective conduct of examination. The CBSE paper leak is a big jolt to all stakeholders in education. Paper leaks can be avoided by establishing improved systems in the CBSE. The selection of the paper setters should be rigorous and based on attributes of subject knowledge, integrity ,honesty and experience. The place where papers are set should be centralised and fortified for all outsiders. Educators invited through selection should be placed in surroundings where proper security measures are taken to search them for absence of mobile phones or any other personal belongings. The papers should be handwritten and left behind at the centre itself. Paper setters should be remunerated heavily so that no lure of money can tempt them to leak the papers. Beyond that a closely monitored group should be engaged in further dispensing of the question papers.

Vandana Saxena, Principal, Tribune Model School, Chandigarh


Redefine concept of exam

First and foremost, we need to redefine the concept of ‘examination’ so that it is not considered as a phobia but a milestone that a person achieves in one’s life. This will add a positive connotation to it and instead of running away or fearing it or trying to find some unlawful means to attempt the exams, students will take them willingly. We need to educate society that exams only help in improving our capabilities and worth and by resorting to unfair means we are only cheating ourselves. Inculcation of strong values of integrity would help in nipping the problem in the bud. Some of the tips to help in preventing the leaks are: Better use of technology, making more sets of question papers restructuring the pattern of papers to make them more applied knowledge-based rather than rote memory-based, being proactive and taking action instantly.

Ritu Bali, Principal, AKSIPS-41, Chandigarh


Swift action needed

Report of paper leak is unfortunate and calamitous, causing a lot of frustration and dejection among students. Swift and strict action needs to be taken against culprits so as to end student vexation and ensure fair justice. Hi-tech working without ethics is a disaster. We, all educationists – of schools, coaching centres, Directorate of Education, CBSE or other institutions — need to work with responsibility, utmost ethics, and high values, and together enable a premier examination board of the country, CBSE, maintain its sanctity and conduct fair and foolproof examinations.

Gurnam Kaur Grewal, Principal, Guru Nanak Public School, Chandigarh


Adopt online exam process

It is quiet unfortunate that we cannot provide a foolproof examination system to our students even now. To avoid repetition of such incidents, the CBSE and schools have to move towards an online examination process. However, that will require significant investments by both government and the private sectors and it may take a few years to implement the same across the country. Paper leaks can happen at three stages – paper setting, paper printing and paper distribution. We need to make the process foolproof by minimising human intervention in the entire paper setting and logistic process. For paper setting itself, there should be multiple question papers which are finalised by a computerised programme selecting from a database of questions contributed by teachers. For the second stage of printing, the work should be handed over to only a few trustworthy people and the punishment should be severe.

Amita Khorana, Principal, Shishu Niketan Model Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh


Switch to old system

This shameful incident has pointed towards the lacunae in our system. It is high time that an introspective security check is done and culprits are brought to task. The previous system of coded CD being sent to schools was an effective one and should be given a try for upcoming examinations.

Inderjeet Kaur Sandhu, Principal, SIS Public School, Phase 7, Mohali


Give deterrent punishment

It is a traumatic situation for any examinee with the prospect of re-examination lurking over his/her head for no fault of theirs in the event of a paper leak. The need is to ensure absolute secrecy by the examination board at every stage of handling of the question papers - right from paper setting, printing, distribution to examination centres and lastly to examinees, pinpointing the responsibility and accountability of every individual involved in the excercise. Deterrent punishment should be meted out to the guilty and their accomplices.

Dr Vijay Kumar Soi, Chandigarh


Plug all loopholes

Leak of mathematics and economics papers conducted by the CBSE has given a big jolt to students and their parents. The students’ career may be jeopardised as they have to reschedule their preparations for no fault of them. In the present scenario, the CBSE could check this menace by adopting new software for the distribution of question papers among the students. The CBSE must plug all loopholes so that such an incident does not recur again.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh


Fix accountability

In today’s world of computer era, where technology plays an important role, it should be a system driven approach instead of man driven. There should be a list of responsible and accountable persons in the leading institutions such as the CBSE, where only students get affected in case of malfunctioning of the system. Responsibility and accountability should be fixed. Preventive measures will help restore the faith of innocent students.

Dr Vimal Chhabra, Mohali


Beef up security

To avoid paper leak, security should be beefed up and all treasuries and examination halls should be closely watched. A ‘Just in time’ paper method should be involved in which question papers are hosted in a secure data centre and then deliver them on time to examination centres electronically in encrypted form. Faith of students in our education system can be restored by making it contemporary and stress free.

Priya Darsh Growar, Mohali


Deploy CBSE officials at exam centres

Students can see this paper leak as a ‘tragedy’ or an ‘opportunity’. It’s better that they look towards it as an opportunity to do better. If they see at it as a tragedy, then they can just bang their heads on table and waste their time. To keep the paper leaks in check, CBSE officials should be deployed at every centre under CCTV camera surveillance.

Mohit Sheopuri


Send papers online

The leak of papers of Class X and XII is sad and shameful. Greedy persons in authority connive with the corrupt to earn money and indulge in all illegalities even in playing with the lives of innocent students who are supposed to be the future of the nation. Papers should be sent online only an hour before the exams to eliminate chances of any leak. Those found guilty should be sent behind bars for life. It is a tragedy that despite promises of making India a ‘corruption-free’ country, it is acquiring the status of a ‘free-corruption nation’.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh


Encrypt digitally

Paper leaks need to be stopped and confidence of students, parents restored in boards governing the education system. This can be managed with the use of technology. Paper setters should submit e-copy of the paper. This e-paper can be encrypted to make it more safe and secure. On the day of examination, this e-paper can be emailed to various centres for onward distribution to students. For more security, two or three set of papers can be made for a particular subject.

Dr Rajeev Kumar, Chandigarh


No proper mechanism

After the paper is set it changes many hands till it reaches examination halls. The present case indicates that the machinery is not working properly. Strict security system is needed. But if at any point someone becomes dishonest, the whole efforts go waste. The three cases, namely Vyapam, SSC and CBSE, cannot be equated. To defeat the menace, we should reduce drastically the time of setting the paper and it’s reaching the examination halls. Reduce number of handlers. Element of surprise can also play an important role by setting multiple papers.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma


Decentralise printing process

Students are bearing catastrophic consequences of question paper leaks. Time and efforts of children are on stake and it is taking heavily on their emotional balance. Parents, students and the education system are all equally responsible for such a situation. Passing exam and scoring well should not be the final goal. More visionary thoughts should be developed to shift the focus of students, who are becoming score-conscious. The question paper pattern should be such that it assesses the knowledge of student not the cramming capability. Till the system changes, the printing process should be decentralised and printing centres should be highly confidential.

Kamalpreet Kaur, Mohali


Choose professionals of high integrity

The paper leak scam is the most unfortunate and highly condemnable since it affects the psych that dents career prospects of students. To check such incidents in future, the authorities have to be discreet and choose professionals of high-integrity for setting the papers that too under surveillance. The onus for ensuring free and fair exams entirely rests with the CBSE and other officials conducting the exams.

SS Arora, Mohali


Send question papers randomly

There are 29 states and seven UTs in the country. So, the 35 different sets of bundles of question papers should be got prepared fully sealed without any symbolic marking on them and one set each of the whole lot be sent randomly to each of the states and UTs without knowing which set has gone to which state until and unless it is opened a few minutes ago before the start of examinations at centres of that state.

Sham Murari Sharma, Chandigarh


Break coaching centre-official nexus

It is important that the government should take serious steps to do away with the paper leak. Printing of papers should begin only sometime before the start of exams. If possible, at examination centres, nobody should be allowed to enter the centre after the beginning of exam. Above all, officials found lax in supervision must be punished. There must be some control of the government over private coaching centres. There is a need to break the nexus between officials and coaching centres. If roof leaks, floor cannot be kept clean.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula


Revamp CBSE staff

A rise in number of question paper leaks has adversely affected the reputation of the CBSE and has shaken the faith of the student community. The CBSE needs to revamp its staff to ensure complete secrecy. Honest officials with proven record be posted in sensitive and vulnerable departments such as printing and despatch. A new ‘leak proof system’ of encrypted (coded with password) question paper was introduced on a trial basis. Being cumbersome, it faced systemic problems which can be sorted out. This system will restore the reliability of the CBSE and students’ faith in it.

Sardul Singh Dhawan, Chandigarh


Change exam system

I am of the firm opinion that our present system of examination in the country should be changed and try to adopt the western system where the examination is taken quarterly and marks are added after every quarter and the final examination after a year be conducted in another city or college. Exam invigilators be asked to come on a particular date to take the examination of students and random paper be prepared by the person concerned. The results on the basis of marks obtained in a year in the college be added and result be announced.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra


Give harsh punishment

Various ways by which paper leak could be checked are: Before start of any exams, internet services should be stopped for 30 minutes or all coaching institutes in those cities or states should be closed on that day. Culprits should be given harsh punishment, a new high security system for every exams should be invented, there should be a 2-tier system in every exams and government should be answerable.

Vinod Shetty


PM should help de-stress students

The Prime Minister is frequently found counselling students about the pre-exam stress through his ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme on radio. He should now address them as how a man-made stress on them due to re-examinations can be warded off, along with reasons as to what he has done to stop such eventualities. Public views on the issue do not carry the weight like the views of the Prime Minister.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh


Focus on learning

Approach is not towards learning but merely acquiring certificates by whatever means. To overcome the problem, two or three different sets of question papers be distributed among examinees and focus should primarily be on their individualistically and practically solving the problem. Students should be convinced to adopt examination as self-establishing opportunity.

MPS Chadha, Mohali


Improve CBSE functioning

The CBSE has rightly earned the condemnation of all walks of life for its repeated lapses in security and carelessness in dealing with the problem. It really needs to overhaul its working and weed out those officials who are unfit to carry out their duties which affect the future of millions of students. However, it cannot be disputed that equal blame lies on those students, their parents and teaching centres, who have created this lucrative market for paper leaks.

Bubby Soin


Monitor complete exercise

Depute a representative of the exam-conducting body on the day of the exam at centres till the distribution of answer sheets. The deputation has to be kept secret by the controller of exam. For this exercise, ex-serviceman on a contractual basis for the period of examinations can be engaged. Deputed representative will report at the centre at the appropriate time and monitor the complete exercise and further report to the controller of exam through the electronic media at the time of opening of question papers after checking seals.

PK Patpatia, Ambala


Prompt probe needed

A prompt and thorough investigation through latest technology is required to apprehend real culprits and mafia behind it rather hanged to nip the bud for any recurrence in the future. It is not at all fair to put millions of students in uncertainty. If a few mischievous elements or mafia are running this unfair business of paper leaks, then only the culprits should be made to suffer but not the entire student community.

Jagdish Singh Jassy, Patiala


Don’t be afraid of retest

If students had well prepared for the CBSE exams, why are they afraid of any retest? Holidays are not more important. Also, in case of Class XII, retest will be only for economics paper so most of the students who are from science stream won’t be affected. However, steps should be taken to avoid any paper leaks in future.

IPS Anand, Gurgaon


Technology is a solution

Exam paper leaks in schools, competitions and universities are rampant and nobody bothers to check the menace. Only a few persons in society are indulging in this business but sufferers are in thousands. To finish it, a physical approach will not work. It should be handled through technology without harming innocents and the guilty must get harsh punishment.

AK Das, Chandigarh


Keep an eye on children’s activities

Such offences are committed when one is unable to fulfill his dreams and feels astonished. Today, children are overburdened with syllabus and they don’t find it easy to finish the same on time. I think that strict punishment should be announced by judges to culprits so that it convey a message to others. Parents should also keep an eye on activities of their children. They must teach them values of life.

Anju Behl, Chandigarh


Take issue seriously

It is sad that paper leaks in a prestigious educational institute of the country has become a routine affair. The government must take such incidents seriously and act promptly against culprits. Thorough investigation should be done and trial of accused persons involved in such incidents should be put on a fast track. Stern action should be taken against officials involved, including dismissal from the service, to act as a deterrent for others and to restore confidence among the student community.

Renu Rajinder Pal Singh, Chandigarh


Involve honest officials

It is shameful indeed that paper leak is plaguing the entire country. The credibility of exams, including competitive tests, is fast eroding. The confidence of honest, hardworking and diligent persons has been shaken by such incidents. The transportation and distribution system of papers should be made foolproof with the involvement of officials of honesty and integrity.

RPS Chopra, Mani Majra


Revamp whole system

The incidents of paper leak shatter the faith of students and their parents in the education system and they all have to bear the brunt. The pain and agony is immeasurable. To curb the menace, the whole system need to be revamped and the persons associated with the system must be held accountable. Passing the buck or blame game should be stopped.

Veena Mahajan, Chandigarh


Don’t run behind high marks

The hullabaloo of scoring above 95 per cent marks needs to end. School counsellors should talk to the ones sitting for exams and make them realise that it’s okay to not score a peaking high percentage. Their parents should also be brought into the conversation to make sure that they are not sending their wards to any institute which encourages them to indulge into any kind of cheating.

Komal Rehan Adhikari, Dera Bassi


Impose hefty fines

Has a single person from such gangs been punished for his/her involvement in the menace. This question evokes no plausible answer. To check the recurrence of such incidents, the only way forward is to evolve a foolproof centralized system of exams under a permanent regulatory body. Exemplary punishment, including jail terms for those involved in the well-knit racket, and hefty fines may also go a long way in stemming the rot.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh


All is not well in system

The paper leaks put a question mark – Are there any examination or selection process safe and scam-free in India? These developments proof that all is not well in the system and unless corrective measures such as question paper has to be delivered just in time of exam not a second, to the candidates, besides there is a need to give a stringent punishment to offenders as there is a real risk to country’s security apparatus.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh


Inculcate right values in students

Only persons with merit and high character should be appointed in key positions. The higher-ups should take responsibility for the lapses. Inculcation of right values in students is the crux of education. Let cases like paper leaks not disappoint young minds and increase their tension. Lets avoid retests and repose parents’ faith in the system. Education is a serious business and the CBSE should realise the same.

Col RD Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt


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