Change in testing system the only solution: Experts
- Cheating pain in SLC neck
The decision of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) Board to adopt tough measures in controlling irregularities in the exam seems to have made no positive impact. Using force to maintain a fair exam is a failed concept, say academicians.The Board has decided to lodge public offence cases against parents who encourage their wards to act unfairly in the exam, while teachers, officials and security personnel involved in such practices will be booked under the Education Act.
More than 70 people, including exam superintendents, invigilators and students were arrested and expelled on the first day of examination for their involvement in irregularities. Nineteen of them have been booked under the Public Offence Act.
The owner of Star Boarding School, Biratnagar, who holds the reputed post of Assistant Chief at Mahendra Morang Campus, was arrested as he leaked the English question paper half an hour before the exam started. Humla District Education Officer was thrashed after he tried to enforce decency in the examination.
The scene was no different on Friday. Though Nepali is considered an easy subject comparatively, dozens of students were found cheating and a number of invigilators fuelling the malpractice. People in Dailekh did not hesitate even to attack the police post as they were disrupted in their attempt to aid their children unfairly.
“These examples suffice to prove the Board decision has failed to bear any fruit,” said Bidhya Nath Koirala, an education expert. “As always, cheating is widespread this year too.” He interprets the act of announcing strict measures ahead of examination as a way to terrorise students while only a change in the present examination system can control cheating. Koirala added the SLC exam pattern and education system as a whole emphasise only memorising the text, without leaving room for creativity. “Replacing the present question pattern with a creative one is the only solution to the problem,” said Koirala.
Suprabhat Bhandari, chairman of the Guardian Association of Nepal, said lack of adequate classes, subject teachers and unavailability of textbooks when needed have promoted the cheating practice.
“Lots of students sit for the exam without being taught or having read textbooks,” he said. “Adopting tough measures without solving these problems is meaningless.”
Posted on: 2011-03-27 07:34
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