Tamil Nadu Board Exam Centres May Lack CCTV Cameras Despite Malpractice Concerns
In a development raising eyebrows across the education sector, centres for the upcoming Tamil Nadu state board examinations scheduled for March may not be equipped with CCTV cameras, despite escalating demands for enhanced surveillance. This issue has gained prominence following a significant incident in 2024, where 167 students who took the chemistry exam at a centre in Villupuram scored centum, prompting the department to order an inquiry into potential malpractice.
The findings of that inquiry remain undisclosed to the public, fueling further speculation and concern among stakeholders. At a press conference on Monday, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi addressed the matter, stating that CCTV cameras would be installed at locations housing question banks. However, he stopped short of providing a firm assurance that these surveillance systems would be set up in all test centres and classrooms, leaving many questions unanswered.
Official Responses and Challenges
An official from the Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) revealed that in January, chief and district education offices were instructed to track the number of CCTV cameras available at each examination centre within their jurisdiction. "We sent the DGE the information. We were not told to install new cameras," an official from the Chennai chief education office explained. Another official highlighted the timing challenges, noting, "With elections round the corner, little can be done now. There is no time to float a tender," indicating that political priorities might be delaying necessary upgrades.
Director of Government Examinations Sasikala emphasized an alternative approach, stating that the plan is to strengthen manual vigilance at exam centres. "We have over 4,900 teachers who will be part of the flying squad. Teachers on duty will be instructed to stay alert," she said. This reliance on human oversight, however, has been met with skepticism from many educators who argue that it may not be sufficient to prevent misconduct.
Teacher Concerns and Safety Issues
Many teachers express that relying solely on manual vigilance will be challenging and potentially ineffective. They advocate for CCTV monitoring, which they believe would not only deter malpractice among students but also curb misconduct among staff. A government school headmaster pointed to past incidents, stating, "Pocso cases have been reported in the past. It's better to have tight monitoring," underscoring the broader safety implications beyond academic integrity.
The lack of CCTV cameras could compromise the credibility of the examination process, especially in light of previous scandals. Stakeholders are calling for transparency and swift action to ensure fair and secure testing environments, but with elections looming, immediate solutions appear uncertain.
