Matunga college frisks students, doesn’t allow switched-off phones even in bags
MUMBAI: There was chaos outside a college in Matunga on Thursday, after the authorities refused to allow HSC candidates to carry their phones into the premises, even if they were switched off and put in their bags. The college staff frisked students at the gate and asked those who had phones to leave it out of the premises, without making any provisions for storing them.
While the state education board prohibits students from carrying phones into examination halls, they can take the devices into the premises and leave them in their bags outside after switching them off.
While most students at the Matunga college gave away their phones to relatives and friends waiting outside the premises, some students had no one to hand over the devices to. Frustrated, one student allegedly threw her phone in a nearby drain.
Officials from the college said that they had taken the step to ensure no malpractices occur. “More than 900 students are taking their exams at the centre. If any student removes the phone and slides it into the pocket, there will be a big lapse,” said a senior official from the college.
However, the state education board said the college should have allowed students to leave their phones in bags outside the classroom. Sharad Khandagale, secretary, Mumbai divisional board, said, “It is true that the board does not allow the use of phones during exams. But considering that students often come from far-off places, colleges can allow them to keep the phones outside the classroom in their bags, in switched-off mode.”
The board hall ticket states that action will be taken against students found keeping papers, phone, calculator, digital watch, but does not specify that students will be frisked at centres. “The college should have given some prior notice. We had no idea where to keep our phones,” said a student.