By not taking stern actions against cheating students, we are producing criminals in schools and colleges.
KARACHI: Students of SSC Part I and SSC Part II are appearing in their board exams in the country these days. Our television channels are airing daily footages of how our children are cheating in exams.
Invigilators are either corrupt or are under tremendous pressure from political quarters. Raids are conducted on examination centres but cheating students are not punished. Leakage of question papers before exams has become the order of the day. No inquiries are conducted and no responsibilities are ever fixed.
In the 1980s, when I appeared for my SSC examination as a private student, the invigilator had demanded a Rado wristwatch in exchange for freedom to cheat in all papers throughout. I refused to become a part of this dirty deal. It is sad to note that nothing has really changed over the last three decades.
By not taking stern actions against cheating students and allowing them to copy answers from textbooks and guides, we are producing criminals in schools and colleges. How can a student become a honest and law-abiding citizen if he indulges in dishonest practices during his school days?
How am I to respond to my children, who often ask me what is the use of studying for entire nights, at home and at coaching centres — at times in candle light — is when other students copy answers directly from textbooks and syllabus guides during examinations?
We are churning quack professionals in big numbers every year. If the education authorities fail to take timely action, our educational degrees will soon become unacceptable abroad.
Let us do something before it is too late.
M Rafique Zakaria
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2014.
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