Bhubaneswar: Following reports of malpractice in some colleges during the annual Plus II examinations last year, the School and Mass Education Department has asked principals of all junior colleges to install CCTV cameras in the examination hall by December this year, as a mandatory provision.
The department, in a letter, has directed the authorities of the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) to ensure that the order is carried out in letter and spirit.
According to CHSE deputy controller of examinations Dr Bijay Kumar Sahu, installation of CCTV cameras has been made compulsory in all junior colleges.
“With the annual Plus II practical examinations are scheduled to begin from the third week of January and theory examinations in Arts, Science, Commerce and Vocational Education from the first week of March next year, the principals of all junior colleges have been asked to install CCTV camera of 2 megapixel in the examination hall by December this year failing which the CHSE will cancel the examination centre of the college and shift it to other colleges where the CCTV cameras are installed,” Sahu said.
He also said that the college authorities also have to install the CCTV at the place where the question papers are opened and the answer sheets are sealed. Besides, the entrance to the examination hall and the front gate of the college, where the parents and guardians wait for their wards must also have CCTV cameras.
However, the authorities of some Junior colleges have opposed the decision saying that since their colleges lack adequate infrastructure and don’t have the money to construct boundary walls, it will not be possible to install the CCTV as it will cost over lakhs. They have urged the department to prepare a special budget for implementation of its order.
Asked about the matter, Sahu said the School and Mass Education Department will take a decision to this effect soon.
He also informed that like the previous year, the Council has decided to set up about 1,100 examination and sub-examination centres for the annual examinations next year.
“However, there may be some changes in the examination hall keeping the number of the examinees after the students fill up the forms,” he pointed out.
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