The secretary of Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, Vasudev Yadav, is credited with bringing about significant changes in the functioning of the Parishad since he took over the charge. In a tête-à-tête with Pankaj Mishra, he shares his views on various issues related to the biggest examination body of the world popularly known as UP Board.
Has mass copying taken place in the UP Board examinations this year ?
In fact, we have curbed the menace of mass copying drastically this year. However, the Board is going to take action against such examination centres where from the mass copying had been reported.
What action have you taken against the centres who indulged in copying ?
As many as 250 examination centres have been black listed by the Board on the ground of mass copying in the State .
The action followed the report submitted by the District Inspectors of Schools and the district administration in this regard. Importantly, the Board is contemplating to cancel their recognition on the grounds of violating the norms fixed for holding the examinations.
Why are so many irregularities witnessed in the evaluation work every year ?
This year the evaluation work was completed on April 28 in a successful and fair manner at all the centres in the State. Some answer-sheet bundles of Rampur district were mistakenly found missing from trucks. However they were later recovered in Pilibhit in a sealed condition. This year we had identified 15 unauthorised examiners at the evaluation centres and the First Information Reports have been lodged against them.
Have you found any case of careless evaluation this year?
Yes, two examiners of Kanpur were caught evaluating the answer-sheets in a careless manner during this year's evaluation work. Both the examiners were found to have allocated the marks without checking the answer-sheets. As per rules we check the carelessness or mistake of the examiners by rechecking the marks allocated by the original examiners at the time of evaluation.
Have you found any case of careless evaluation this year?
Yes, two examiners of Kanpur were caught evaluating the answer-sheets in a careless manner during this year's evaluation work. Both the examiners were found to have allocated the marks without checking the answer-sheets. As per rules we check the carelessness or mistake of the examiners by rechecking the marks allocated by the original examiners at the time of evaluation.
What are your major achievements as the secretary of Board?
We conducted the examination of over 46 lakh students successfully this year. For the two consecutive years the results are declared timely in the last week of May. This has greatly helped the students seeking admission in undergraduate classes in different universities outside the State. The State Government has awarded me with appreciation certificate for this achievement. The provision of self-centre system has also proved a boon for examinees especially for girls. Besides, the Board has started issuing certificates and mark-sheets in English since 2005.
When will you declare this year's results ?
Results are already in process of compilation. Hopefully both High School and Intermediate examination results will be declared in the last week of this month.