TEACHERS FUME AT SSC CHEATING DIRECTIVE

The Director of School Education has stated that invigilators will be held responsible for any malpractices that occur during the Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) examinations. Teachers’ associations in TS are opposing this directive.

The associations have asked teachers not to sign any undertakings to the effect and to ask to be relieved of invigilator duties if the authorities insist that they sign.

A circular released by the department of school education states, “District Educational Officers (DEO) and Mandal Education Officers (MEOs) will be held accountable for any copying that takes place in examination centres within their jurisdiction.

Every invigilator at every examination centre should be informed, in writing, that he/she will personally be held accountable for any copying that takes place in his/her centre and that disciplinary action will be taken against him/her if students are caught cheating.”

The TS State United Teachers’ Federation (TSUTF) is demanding the withdrawal of the orders scheduled to be implemented during the upcoming SSC exams.

According to the TSUTF, provisions of the 25/1997 Act can be used to punish anyone who intentionally indulges in copying; it is not right to impose punishment on teachers who are discharging their duties for many years. They say that it is immoral to implement such orders and that it is an insult to teachers.

TSUTF state president, chief secretary, councillor, C.H. Ramulu and Chava Ravi have submitted a letter to the chief exam invigilator.