Karnataka college students forced to wear boxes to curb cheating
What's the story
In a shocking incident, students of the Bhagat Pre-University College in Haveri, Karnataka, were made to sit for their mid-term examinations with boxes covering their heads to prevent cheating. The incident occurred on Wednesday during the Chemistry exam of first-year science students and came to light after a member of college management posted a picture on social media. The image has since gone viral.
Details
College tried to copy similar incident in Bihar
On Wednesday, the first-year science students were made to wear boxes, with holes cut out in the front, during their Chemistry mid-term examinations. A member of college management, MB Sateesh Herur, told Deccan Herald that they were trying to emulate the move from Bihar. It was Sateesh who shared the since-deleted photo on Facebook.
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Discussed it with students; took their consent: Sateesh
Speaking to The Times of India, Sateesh 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."
Reaction
This is inhuman, says deputy director, PU Board
Meanwhile, SC Peerjade, deputy director, PU Board, rushed to the college after he learned about the move and ordered the management to stop. He told TOI, "This is inhuman and a civilized society will never accept such an idea. I hope this is never repeated again." Notably, students told Peerjade that the management forced them to wear boxes.
Action
Notice issued to Bhagat PU College
Peerjade told TOI they have issued a notice to the college management and are contemplating disciplinary action against them. He said, "There are traditional ways of managing students and preventing malpractice in the examination hall and the college can resort to them." He said he also advised students to alert the department whenever such incidents occur. Sateesh agreed to comply with the board's directive.
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Nobody has right to treat anybody like animals: Education Minister
Further, in a Facebook post on Friday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar condemned the move saying, "This is totally unacceptable. Nobody has any right to treat anybody more so students like animals. This pervertion (sic) will be dealt with aptly."