Karnataka: College makes students wear cardboard boxes during exam

On Friday, students of the Bhagat Pre-University (PU) College in Haveri, Karnataka were made to sit for their Chemistry exam wearing cardboard boxes that covered their heads. The boxes only had their front side open with other sides closed. This was to ensure that they would not be able to cheat. After a college official shared the photos regarding the same on social networking website Facebook, this incident came to light. However, both the education department as well as the PU Board did not take this lightly and sought an explanation from the college. 

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‘Just an experiment’ 

In 2018, there were multiple reports of cheating across various educational institutions in Karnataka. Despite repeated warnings, the students continued to cheat. This was apparently the rationale behind introducing this move. A director of the college, MB Sateesh, maintained that they did not intend to harass the students. He claimed that the students had granted their consent for this “experiment”. 

He said, “We implemented this idea to curb malpractice and not to harass students. This is just an experiment. We discussed it with students and took their consent before implementing it.” 

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‘Contemplating disciplinary action’ 

SC Peerjade, the deputy director of the PU Board confirmed that disciplinary action against the college was being contemplated. Calling it an “inhuman” idea, he called upon colleges to stick to the traditional methods of preventing malpractices.  

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Peerjade remarked, “When I got a message on this, I immediately rushed to the college and ordered the management to stop this practice. I also issued a notice to the college management and am contemplating disciplinary action against them for implementing this idea.” He added, “This is inhuman and civilized society will never accept such an idea. I hope this is never repeated again. There are traditional ways of managing students and preventing malpractice in the examination hall and the college can resort to them."

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