More steps taken by Maharashtra board to ensure copying-free exams

MUMBAI: Along with discontinuing the 10-minutes reading time for SSC, HSC students, the handler of question papers and answer sheets will also have to be on the GPS tracking system.The state board has undertaken the copy-free exam campaign to ensure that no malpractices are reported during the exams. HSC exams begin on February 21 and SSC start from March 2.The board appointed 'runners' will have to collect the question papers from the main centre and hand it over to the concerned school/college. The runner is also responsible to hand over the answer sheets to the custodians after the exams. The movement of the 'runners' will be tracked by the board to ensure that the question papers and answer sheets travel to its assigned destination, without deviating its path. The runner cannot leave his/her assigned school or college till the exams are over. There has been complaints of the runner leaving the centre after the exam commences.Across the nine divisions, the district and police administration has been urged to step up their vigil during the exams. This will be in addition to the board's vigilance squads. Copies of the probable malpractices and punishment decided by the board has been shared with police and district officials.Exams begin at 11am or 3pm as per the timetable. Students have to be in their seats 30 minutes before they write their papers. The 10-minutes allotted to read question papers has been discontinued. While students will have to start writing at 11am or 3pm, supervisors have been advised to collect the answer sheets in the same order as question papers were distributed to ensure that every student gets the benefit.With massive copying reporting in past SSC and HSC exams, the board had sought ideas on controlling malpractices. Board officials found that maximum cheating takes place in the 10 minutes when they read the question paper. Last year with students writing exams in their respective schools and colleges, malpractices were rampant. This year students will appear from centres allotted by the board.The extra time allotted to read question papers was introduced in 2015. Both CBSE and CISCE have retained the 15 minutes reading time for their exams.