PSEB exam centres outside schools again, in 3-km radius

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 11

Examination centres of students appearing in the annual examinations of Classes X and XII of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) this year will continue to be outside their schools.

Introduced last year with the aim to check copying, which was allegedly allowed in certain schools to make their results better, the planners will be asked to ensure that the distance of allotted centres to students did not cross 3 km. Last year, a number of students had to travel for longer distances.

Official sources said a sizable fall in cheating cases last year was evident, particularly in the border belt of five districts which had centres that facilitated cheating. Senior officers, including secretary Krishan Kumar, had camped in the field themselves and faced the wrath of “education mafia” in areas like Tarn Taran. Official results showed that the border districts of Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Pathankot and Ferozepur had shown a 30 per cent dip in results. Approximately, 51.63 per cent students from the belt passed this year (2017-2018) against 81.23 per cent in 2016-2017.

Talking to The Tribune, Education Minister OP Soni said, “In principle, a decision with regard to continuing with the changed examination centres has been taken. A formal communication will soon be forwarded to all those involved in drafting the examination details shortly.” Reacting to the proposed move, certain schools, mostly private, showed their objection to centres being shifted outside. “Our children complain about lack of comfort and even basic amenities like drinking water and clean toilets,” a Principal said.

At the same time, Anil Chopra, president of the St Soldier Management Association (Jalandhar), said, “We have no problem in changing the examination centres of students. In fact, this saves school from pressure, from certain quarters, seeking favour for their wards.” Rama Mahajan, Principal of Ajit Vidyalaya (Amritsar), said “Changed centres posed no problem except some minor hiccups last year.”

Celebrate students’ b’days, schools told

Jalandhar: Teachers of government schools have been told to celebrate birthdays of all students and make them feel special on their birthdays. Notice boards and morning assemblies at all government schools shall now be marked with achievements/names of the birthday child at government schools. In a letter issued to schools on Friday, the Education Department has instructed government schools to discuss the birthday child's personality, achievements, sports achievements, educational activities, etc. with other children during the morning assembly. The letter asked schools to put the names of the birthday child on the notice boards or common place where the school's thought for the day or news bulletin is posted. TNS