Thiruvananthapuram: A crisis that could have affected the smooth conduct of the Higher Secondary Course and Vocational Higher Secondary Course examinations that commenced today, March 10, was resolved soon after a shortage of invigilators was reported at the eleventh hour.
The problem arose after many schools failed to depute adequate teachers for the invigilation duty as of 7 pm on Thursday. This was revealed from the list provided by the respective Regional Deputy Directors (RDD) offices.
The invigilators for HSC and VHSC examinations are drawn from Upper Primary (UP) and High School (HS) sections too.
However, with many places facing a shortage of adequate invigilators, the authorities scrambled to depute teachers of the Lower Primary section too in a last-minute bid to resolve the crisis.
While the examination timetable was published months ago and the registration process was completed well in time, the schools (with exam centers) were provided the list of invigilators only a few days back. Complaints of invigilator shortage then began to pour in from many centers.
Security of question papers
Meanwhile, lapses in ensuring the safe custody of HSC question papers have been alleged, sources said. The HSC question papers were handed over to schools many days back and were being kept in the lockers.
As per the guidelines schools should deploy watchers at night and also install CCTV cameras to prevent any wrong-doings. While most schools installed the cameras a few years back, they have failed to deploy the watchers.
The SSLC question papers, on the other hand, are safely kept in government treasuries and directly shifted to school lockers. The question paper bundles of the particular subject are taken out only on the morning of the day of examination.
Warning by Commissioner of Examinations
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Examinations has warned of strict disciplinary action against teachers who fail to turn up for SSLC exam duties.
Those entrusted with SSLC duties should not be availing commuted or other leaves without informing the District Education officers, the Commissioner warned.
If such persons have availed leaves, they should cancel the same and report for duty. The names of those failing to adhere to the direction should be handed over to Pareeksha Bhavan, a circular issued the other day read.