Having A Leak

We have a wonderful education system . A couple of years ago a political science topper in the school final exam told a TV channel that she thought that the subject had something to do with cooking , That happened in Bihar. Now don’t utter “Bihar!” with scorn. Central Board f Secondary Education (CBSE) question paperts are leaking in such a way that they would give sieves an inferiority complex.


Two papers were leaked on Whatsappp one on economics and other maths That should teach dumbos like me who for long believed that app was an abbreviation of appalam or pappad a lesson.I am so app challenged that if there had been a paper on app in my school final exam I would have topped it and then told some TV channel that app was all about making pappads).That.s why one should join some Whatsapp group. You get perks like leaked question papers.


The question papers were leaked out at one in the morn9ing. I am sure lot of kids must have been burning midnight oil—not by studying but by waiting for the question paper.



When I was in school question papers were hardly leaked out. Even if they were , it didn’t matter as there were several alternative sets of question papers . and there was no Whatsapp to spread the good cheer of leaky QPs (I am tired of writing “question papers” repeatedly).But nowadays, I believe, they prepare only one set with no alternatives.


In my days copying in the exams was a creative act. In cities like Delhi, they carried “bits” slips of papers with notes on the subject and frequently had the urge to go to the loo where they consulted the notes. In the backwaters of India things were really hunky-dory for the kids. They proved that the adage pen is mightier than the sword or at least the knife was wrong. Many students tended to keep a knife by their side and even kept books and notes with them in the hall. The invigiltor fearing for his life turned a blind eye as there were earlier incidents of invigilators being sent to say hi to Yamaraj. Wise chaps, knew well the Marxian adage those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.



But during my daughter’s schooldays, things giot even better for the kids. The all round corruption blessed the exam system with its benevolent glance. A friend of my daughter who was giving her 10th board exam was shocked when invigilators offered to allow the students to copy at Rs 1000 per head.. The students haggled, bought down the price by half and copied merrily..


Nowadays unless the invigilators accept bribes and allow kids to copy, they have a tough job ahead in catching the cheats. Remember we are living in a high tech world, There could be listening divices not visible to the naked eye tha would flabbergast even Q of James Bond fame. They could be hidden in ties glass frames and where not and outsiders coiuld be merrily broadcasting the answers after hearing questions from students who read the question somewhat loudly so that it could be transmitted to the guy outside through a device. You can’t stop science and technology you see!

That is why keeping the question paper under wraps doesn’t make any sense. I think the students should get the questions in advance and given adequate time to study them. and come to the exam hall prepared. There would be no need for copying and greasing invigilators’ palms.



It would also ensure in the backwaters of India knives are put to better use, say like cutting vegetables and not invigilators, And who knows people, particularly toppers might actually learn that political science has nothing to do with rustling up a curry.

 

I think the best foolproof method is to to have six or seven sets of question papers from hich real McCoy can be chosen at the last moment by examiners by playing Inky pinky ponky . My father had a donkey with them. Perfect way to make donkeys out of cheats. Or just give the question paper to students in advance and ask them to prepare and mark them on the basis of depth of knowledge and correctness of language. When it comes to sciejhnce and technical exam they should be allowed to carry the formula guides with them. They can copy the formulas and equations but you must know where to apply them.

 

the problem lies with the educational system itself that does not encourage acquisition of knowledge and instead favours learning by rote. It would be much better to hand the question papers to students and ask them to prepare essay type answers for them. Mark them on the basis of depth of knowledge and quality of language.

 

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The open book system is particuloarly effective with regard to subjects like science, engineering, and other subjects that include lots of calculation like ecnomics and accountancy. For other subjects like languages , give the students the quwstion paper in advance and ask them t prepare assays on the subject. That will help sepaate the grain from the chaff.

 

Viswa, frankly for CA they should introduce the open book system. You should be allowed to varry books with accounting formulas into the hall. You may take the formula from books or guides but you need real knowledge to apply them. Same is the case with technical, scientific and medical educationist