Clean exam - Are we serious ?

Jam Kipgen *

Students appearing for Class XII Exam on 22 February 2016 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

"My child, do not copy or practice unfair means. Neither impersonate in the exam. The government machineries and CSOs are on the lookout for such type of students and they are sure to give you penalty. Always bear in mind, using unfair means would lead you nowhere. Your life will be a disaster." Sounds great…huh?

It's been about two years the government is focusing on total 'Clean Exam' using all its available resources and the peak of its initiative is the use of CCTV cameras in several of the hypersensitive Class XII exam centre both in the hills and valley.

What transpired from this innovative approach is rather unfortunate as one could see the unfolding incidents in several centers.The use of technology to catch unfair practices could also be a disadvantage as many of our innocent children are subjected to a very unhealthy reconnaissance process. Why should children be subjected to this extreme way of monitoring? The message is loud and clear. If you dare, I am here! Penny wise, pound foolish will not find a better place than our present system of governance.

But altogether, it is very much unfortunate on the part of the government and the civil society organizations to have missed out a very important aspect of the examination system. The undue involvement of different parties is an indirect invasion on the prestige and integrity of the teachers and school leaders. We are no less concerned for the future of our dear students as we want them to secure a respectable position in the society. It is always a binding principle of every school teacher to make their children stay safe and away from unfair means and that our children are brought up in an environment free from corruption and malpractices.

The other way round: People who championed for clean exam today are the most corrupted.

Examples could be given of the two Institutions viz. The Board of Sec. Edn., Manipur and Council of Hr. Sec. Edn., Manipur. Do any person in Manipur ever heard of an open recruitment test/exam for the hundreds of employees working in these two offices? How much bribes have been paid by junior employees to secure their jobs? Can the BoSEM deny the innumerable numbers of unfair and unethical office procedures?

It is very sad that the two institutions that conduct exams for students could not curb malpractices right under their noses.

Then! May boldly say that fitting cameras or sending out hordes of flying squads or extreme involvement of district administration or for that matter the entire government machineries will not bring about any desired result. To elaborate further, the language policy of the BoSEM will definitely fail many brilliant students in the hills as preparing for 100 marks within a span of not - more - than one month is next to impossible.

One Meitei parent came crying if anything could be done in this respect as his son is born, brought up and lives in a Tribal environment where he hardly speaks Manipuri nor have ever seen Meitei Mayek.

Ironically, even the government high schools don't have teachers for all the language subjects whereas the board is bent on sticking to its policy.

Therefore, dear people whoever is concerned with the ongoing HSLC exam. What would you do when these hundreds of people try any means to pass their respective language subject? Or do we tell them to learn their language yet for another year and re - appear the following year? Further, the eagerness of civil society organizations to visit exam centre in the name of 'clean exam drive' is all the more embarrassing.

Have these people ever volunteered to set things right in the first place? Have they ever raised their voice when bribes were given during recruitments? Have they ever visited schools during the year to encourage and motivate the students with a promise that the society will be freed from corruption? Do they ever organize seminars, awareness programs, competitions, etc., during the year with a theme on 'corruption free education'?

Is there any social leader who is a role model for the children? Above all, have they ever set any example worth following?

And the district administration too is there to be blamed for all these developments. Even a small child knows how development programmes are being eaten away.

They know very well how their parents are suffering under the existing system of governance. They also know that to become a teacher under state education department or Dist council or to get government jobs you don't have to study hard because grade does not matter at all. They also know the numerous numbers of teachers who never attended their duties. They are also aware of the number of district council teachers who work or stay elsewhere.

Has the district administration ever given an award to school children for their outstanding performance in board exams? I still recall the Directorate of Education once giving incentives to First division holders in both the HSLC and HSE but was abruptly stopped without giving any convincing reason. Let us please stop treating our children like baby dolls that obey and stand in awe to our commands and fearful dictations.

Therefore, they now say, 'what am I to do with clean exam?' Grade does not matter!

And the government too is being blindfolded. Is it required to pass through clean exam to become a member of legislative assembly of for that matter a member of district council? Where has all the public welfare schemes gone? Why are students not given their due share of the Union Budget? We ask our children to abstain from malpractices while we ourselves are meddling in it.

Let us ask ourselves, dear law makers, do we at any point of time do such things as to motivate the young generation to learn? What a generation we are! While we are busy cleaning the exam from malpractices, many of our youths who have different hope and aspiration are lost on the way. It is now the right time to rise and shine. Frame new policies. Test the level of frustration and desperation among the young generation.

Finally, examination system is totally the subject of concerned education department and that of the constituting schools. For a particular exam centre, a committee is formed under which Officer - in - charge is appointed who is the final authority in his centre, following approval by the Board and Council. And several officials like AOC's and SI's too are appointed to assist the OC while smooth, free and fair exam is assured.

Now let this be asked. Who has the final say in regards to expulsion, punishment awarded to an examinee during exam hours? Is it the flying squads, the S.O., Dist Adm., CSO's or the examination centre officials? Who is responsible for the conduct of examination? This is when the prestige, dignity, integrity and honour of school principals are invaded, which is intolerable. Just try to imagine if the principals started snooping around the business of your administration, what would be the possible outcome?

Anyway, it is very much encouraging to see everyone gearing up to do good for the society leaving behind (ignoring) their busy schedules and important official works. Surely our initiative will pay dividends in a very short time.

Thank you.