Examiners to be fined for errors in checking SSC, HSC papers

Education board officials said the fine is necessary as the competition for college admissions is intense and students could lose a seat in the college of their choice if they score even a mark less.

The Mumbai division of the state school education board has started fining teachers who make mistakes while evaluating answer-sheets of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations.

Paid Rs2.5-Rs4.5 a paper, examiners will be docked Rs10 for each error. (HT File Photo)

Education board officials said the fine is necessary as the competition for college admissions is intense and students could lose a seat in the college of their choice if they score even a mark less. Examiners and moderators — who recheck the corrected papers — will be fined Rs 10 per mistake, which will be deducted from the remuneration paid to them for correcting the papers.

Although there are existing rules for fining teachers who make mistakes while evaluating papers, the divisional board started implementing the rule this year. With the re-evaluation process in its last phase, the board is issuing show-cause notices to teachers who made ‘serious’ assessment mistakes.

“The increasing number of mistakes are coming to light as students are applying for photocopies of answer sheets. Stern action is necessary so teachers correct carefully next time,” said SC Chandekar, secretary of the divisional board.

Of the 10, 629 students requesting photocopies of their answer sheets, 2,539 applied for verification (recounting) of marks and 771 for re-evaluation.

Megha Darji’s HSC percentage, increased from 90.77% to 91.23% after re-evaluation. She received three marks more in her organisational commerce paper. “The examiner wrongly marked a few answers incorrect. By the time I received my new mark sheet, my admission was done. However, this will help me secure admission to a reputed college for post graduate studies.”

According to Gangadhar Mhamane, chairperson of the state board, teachers will be fined if:

They make mistakes consistently

If they miss checking parts of the paper

If the mistakes are worth more than 5 marks