Odisha board bans mobile phones inside matric exam centre

CUTTACK: A day after Odia question paper leak rumour rocked the state, Board of Secondary Education on Saturday issued advisories to all centre superintendents to ensure a complete ban on entry of mobile phones inside the premises of matriculation exam centres.
The board has directed that except centre superintendents no other person will be allowed to carry mobile phones inside the exam centres.The district education officers (DEO) have been directed to ensure that the order is implemented in proper letter and spirit.
Earlier also board had instructed centre superintendents to enforce a ban on mobile phone inside exam centres, but on the first day of the matriculation exam on Friday it was noticed that the order was not complied with properly.
"Our officials visited different examination centres and it was found that the instructions were not strictly followed. The DEOs and centre superintendents have to ensure that no one carries a mobile phone, even if it is switched off, inside the exam centre," said board's president, Jahan Ara Begum.
"Strict action will be initiated against the centre superintendents if any violation of the order is found at their centre," added Begum. Only the centre superintendent is allowed to carry his phone so that s/he can inform board if any exigency arises at the centre.
Sources at the board office said the special squads formed for checking malpractice have been directed to conduct checking to ensure that mobile phone ban order is strictly implemented. At least 95 squads have been formed to keep vigil on cheating in exam centres.
Notably, nearly an hour after the commencement of matriculation examination on Friday, photos of Odia question paper went viral on social media leading to question paper leak rumour. Board had a tough time in tackling the issue and also it had to face criticism.
"The viral photo clips of Odia question paper on social media clearly reflected that our mobile phone ban order was not enforced strictly at exam centres. But now we will show no leniency on the matter," said a senior board official.
The board has also said that the teachers coming to the exam centres identify their students will not be allowed inside the campus and they should do their work at the entrance gate and return
Along with it, the board has also directed that media persons will not be allowed inside the examination halls. "The media persons can cover the event outside the main gate but they cannot enter exam halls as students get disturbed by it," said a board official.
At least 5.90 lakh students are appearing the matriculation examination at 2818 centres across the state. The exam started on February 23 and it will conclude on March 8.