Intermediate exams: My story of the invigilator who let us cheat

The invigilator in my exam allowed us to discuss answers and exchange notes as long as we 'cooperated' with her!

Hina Nadir June 14, 2013

The credibility of the Pakistani education system is often under question. Religiously, every year various television channels air reports showing images and videos of students blatantly and fearlessly cheating in supposedly 'prestigious' board examinations. However, what worries me is that nothing comes out of it - the same practice occurs the next year too and then the year after.


I am currently taking my HSSC-II exams under the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE). Although the FBISE board is considered to be better than other local boards, I recently experienced something that left me speechless.


The exam centre allocated to me was a Federal Government (FG) school in Rawalpindi. As I sat in the examination hall amidst many nervous students, the invigilator for the day walked in. She was young - probably in her thirties. Upon arriving, she started shuffling around, looking for any possible cheating material that the students could have smuggled inside, and after she was done, she made a little speech.


“Beta, I want discipline in here. If you cooperate with me, I’ll do the same with you. You may discuss or help your friends, but I don’t want any disturbance - and by disturbance I mean noise, of course.”


And then came the emotional blackmail bit,


“Your behaviour today will reflect your institute. You don’t want me to think that you come from a bad school, do you? Let’s all just work together - mutual understanding!”


The students were ecstatic. They showered her with praises, and well, why wouldn't they?


During the exam, she volunteered to let the students know before the head invigilator entered, so they could stop their discussion and then later resume when he left.


Before I proceed, in my defence, I have never cheated in my life; I didn't then, and I won’t ever! To me, cheating is unfair. It is like taking credit for someone else’s work that you don’t rightfully deserve. I also believe that it hinders learning.


However, students here have become immune to cheating. They think of it as part and parcel of the education system and they do not feel any guilt in indulging in the practice - they consider this to be ‘team work’ or simply helping each other out. They also label other class fellows as ‘nerds’ or ‘losers’ if they insist on covering their exam papers or pretend to turn deaf when they are asked for help.


So, has cheating become socially acceptable?


What is interesting to note here is that teachers and parents, who are meant to guide students and encourage learning, are now completely ignoring their job. By turning a blind eye to this unethical and immoral behaviour, they encourage the practice of cheating.


For instance, in my case, if an invigilator openly allows ‘discussion’ to take place during an exam, can you blame the students for continuing to cheat? Why wouldn't they use this opportunity to ace an exam without even studying for it?


If this encouragement of cheating continues, it will not be surprising if we produce inept engineers, doctors and architects in the future. Fairness in exams is imperative to the future of this country. These grades are not a one-off thing. They bear the fate of Pakistan's tomorrow, which may be encompassed by darkness if this trend does not stop here.


 

WRITTEN BY:
Hina Nadir An aspiring engineer who dreams of a Pakistan with an educated, tolerant and open-minded society.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (24)

inam101 | 10 years ago | Reply Its good to here that I am not the only one not cheating... What grade we got, we deserved it and it showed how much we worked along the system.
Dante | 10 years ago | Reply To cheat requires a person to be courageous and clever. It's all part of the struggle to be steps ahead of your colleague. The fact you're crying against it shows you're living a very pampered life. In the real world also, people will always cheat and you have to be one step ahead of them to realize it, and avoid being the victim.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ