UP Board black-lists 140 exam centres

OVER 140 examination centres in Allahabad and Kaushambi districts have been black-listed this year by the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board of Higher Secondary Education). The Board took this decision on the ground of mass copying in examinations held in March-April, 2006.

OVER 140 examination centres in Allahabad and Kaushambi districts have been black-listed this year by the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board of Higher Secondary Education). The Board took this decision on the ground of mass copying in examinations held in March-April, 2006.

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The number of black-listed centres has increased because of introduction of self-examination centre scheme by the State Government three years back.

Since the self-examination centre system was introduced, the Board sources said, a large number of students, especially from distant areas like Bahraich, Gonda and other districts and even many from the neighbouring country - Nepal - took admission in several colleges in Kaushambi and Allahabad after paying a hefty amount of money to mafia engaged in copying menace.

Interestingly, the management easily managed the domicile certificate of students. Despite tall claims, the Board could not check the practice and consequently these students successfully passed the examination. The Board administration found it quite difficult to check the practice of domicile certificates.

Sources said that college managements in connivance with Education Department succeeded in making their colleges as examination centres.

Thereafter, different rates were fixed for candidates to ensure them facility to clear the Board examinations. Sources said that outstation candidates had to pay between Rs 15,000 and 20,000 to get the facility of copying.

Principals' Committee in a report has stated that sudden increase of pass-out percentage in UP Board examinations following introduction of self-examination centres has posed a serious problem because nearly six lakh students could not get admission in under-graduate classes after clearing Intermediate examination.

Significantly, pass-out per cent of High School and Intermediate touched 80-90 per cent after introduction of the self-examination centre plan. As many as 5,58,141 pass-outs increased in 2006 in comparison to 2005.

Tribhuvan Prasad, a senior teacher at Rastogi Inter College, said in wake of self-examination centre system, even average students had succeeded in securing 65-70 per cent marks.

It may be mentioned flying squads had reported of mass copying at 56 colleges of Allahabad and 72 of Kaushambi in UP Board examination held in 2006.