HSC exams begin today; security checks, helpline numbers set up

Over 3.35 lakh students of the city will appear for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) board examinations starting today. Around 30 flying squads have been initiated to conduct surprise inspections at all examination centres to keep a close check on any discrepancies, paper leaks or cheating during the exams.

Students can call helpline numbers where they will be assisted by counsellors from 9am to 7pm every day. The examinations will be conducted at 592 centres in the city with over 75 examiners to oversee the process. The first examination is English, which will begin at 11am today.

Students have been repeatedly warned by the state board to refrain from cheating. Teachers, principals and non-teaching staff too have been cautioned about conducting the examination process in an ethical way. All those involved in the examination process have been subjected to background verification checks.

Question paper bundles will be opened only in the classroom in the presence of students. A strict ‘no-phone policy’ has been initiated -this means no one is allowed to use their mobile phones inside the examination centres. A senior officer of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Mumbai division, said, “We have initiated these measures following paper leaks and cheating in the examination witnessed last year.”

Teachers and parents claimed students should approach them for last-minute assistance. Kranti Chaturvedi, a teacher said, “We are willing to solve any kind of last-minute queries of students

between exams.” While Prakhar Goenka, a parent said, “As parents, we are supporting our kids and we advise them not to stress.”