Suspending activities ol the student unions during the public exams is an effective way to check cheating in the examinations, leading teachers said.
Leaders of the Bangladesh College Teachers’ Association (BCTA) observed that political influence is a major incentive for the examinees to go for copying.
As the HSC examinations begin on May 10, the BCTA in a press conference yesterday urged parliamentarians and political leaders to restrain their activists from visiting exam centres.
The student activists always play a key role in forcing invigilators and administrations to allow-the examinees to adopt unfair means. In case of refusal, the teachers are attacked physically and mentally.
During the last SSC examinations, two teachers - Ananda Kumar and Ashutosh Pal of Ba-harbagh High School in Magura -
were seriously injured for trying to resist such elements.
“'Teachers alone are not able to stop copying in the exams. Roles of students, guardians, administration and local elite are vital in this regard," said BCTA president Principal Kazi Faruq Ahmed.
To check copying, exam centers should be selected carefully, he said, adding that it should also be ensured that no centre is set up under the political or regional influence.
Urging all teachers to discharge their responsibilities with utmost honesty' and sincerity, the BCTA president, however, said like in other professions, some people also intruded into teaching who are no eligible for the noble profession.
“We have no hesitation to criticise ourselves or demand punishment if anyone of us plays foul,” Kazi Faruq said referring to the seven-point suggestion of the teachers' federation on how to stop copying in the exams.
He, however, said ensuring human resources depends on quality teachers. He demanded separate pay scale for the teachers and placed some other demands relating to their salaries.
A total of 571,074 examinees will sit for the HSC exams under the seven education boards this year. Following are the numbers of board-wise examinees: Dhaka -164,534, Rajshahi - 169,441, Co-milla - 69,235. Jessore - 71.458, Chittagong - 45,230, Barisal -34,085 and Svlhet - 17.091.