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Reports of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) plans to introduce biometric attendance to prevent impersonation during board exams have evoked mixed reactions among students in Delhi-NCR.
Students say the step should be restricted to states like Bihar and UP only where many are caught impersonating or cheating during exams. And introduction of the same may put Delhi-NCR students in bad light. Few though whole heartedly welcomed the move as the right step in curbing unfair means during exams.
“Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are infamous for unfair practices during exams like cheating and impersonation. But in Delhi-NCR, students hardly adopt such practices to qualify in exams. There could be scattered instances of cheating but impersonation is unheard of. Why doubt us when someone else is the culprit,” says Jigar Gupta, a student of DPS Delhi.
In fact, in Bihar, students are sometimes refrained from wearing shoes and socks to exam centres to stop them from cheating. And to stop impersonation, police are deployed to check valid IDs of students and question anyone they find suspicious.
In Uttar Pradesh, board exams are often conducted in government schools under CCTV surveillance. Moreover, police take strict action if anyone is caught impersonating during board exams.
“We have in the past seen images of large-scale and blatant unfair practices in Bihar and UP. But Delhi-NCR never hogged limelight for the same. So, we would urge CBSE to think hundred times before introducing biometric attendance during board exams,” says Oindrilla, a student of Heritage School.
In fact, a few years back, photos of parents and friends scaling the walls of exam centres in Bihar to pass on answers to students during board exams went viral. The images prompted the Bihar government to enhance security arrangements inside as well as outside exam centres.
“That’s okay but why to generalise all students by planning to introduce biometric attendance across the country. We will ask our school management to vehemently oppose the idea if it’s implemented,” says Surya Attri, a Class IX student of Salwan International School.
However, some students are really happy that CBSE is planning such a step to ensure that only deserving students pass and score good marks in board exams, given that they would face tough academic competition in the future.
“Students like me study hard through out the year to bring good grades. The move is a welcome step that will ensure that only deserving students pass and top the exams. Since this is a pan-country exam, the board will do a great thing but introducing such a step to secure our future,” says Lisa Suresh, a student of Heritage School.
