Learn well, don't cheat

As students appear for board exams, one thing is certain: They are under a lot of pressure and stress to perform well, due to the marks-oriented education system in place.
Over the years, ''marks scored'' have become the prime criteria for success and the gateway to the career aspirations of a student.
According to a consultant psychiatrist, Samir Parikh, "During exam time, students are under a lot of pressure to perform well.Having doubts about their preparation and lack of confidence in themselves might lead them to resort to cheating."
So much so, that cheating has almost become an integral feature of the examination system. Cheating takes place through either passing on of information verbally or by written means. Students, quite often are alleged to use small slips of paper, popularly known as ''farahs''.
The officiating head, Department of History and Political Science, Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, Neelam Mainral says, "Lack of proper preparation is the main cause behind cheating."
On the other hand, the deputy secretary, Indian Council of Secondary Examination (ICSE), Xavier Pinto says, "Children are not dishonest. If they are caught cheating, it is because of our teaching system which could not instil in them, the requisite confidence."
Moreover, the Controller of Examinations, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Pavnesh Kumar has a differing view point. He says, "Most students caught cheating are from economically-backward sections of society and private candidates, who miss a value education and resources."
A student of Class XII, Modern School, Barakhamba Road, Naira Kalra says, "Right from our formative years it is imbibed in us that cheating is immoral."
Another student of DPS, R K Puram, Chetna Kapoor says, "An attempt to clear a doubt, by talking to a fellow student during examinations, is also a form of cheating." According to her, one shouldn''t take chances during board examination as it may ruin one''s career.
Boards like CBSE and ICSE have formulated guidelines to deal with cases of cheating. According to Kumar, "CBSE has a foolproof ''quasi-judicial'' system in which guilty students are allowed to appear for the exams. After the declaration of results they are made to appear before a committee, where they are given a chance to prove their innocence."
If they are accused of impersonation the impersonator may be sent to jail and debarred from taking exams for three years.
ICSE on the other hand, has a different set of guidelines. Pinto says, "We do not debar a student for more than a year. It is sufficient punishment and to prolong it would mean ruining a student''s future."
The board-examination guideline book is meant to be read to all the students to make them aware of the various rules and regulations.