COIMBATORE: Talks were going on in the Government Examinations Department regarding utilisation of existing CCTV cameras in private schools for public exam-related works.
A senior official from the School Education Department on condition of anonymity said that in the meeting conducted by the Directorate of Tamil Nadu Government Examinations with local officials recently, the possibilities of utilising the existing CCTV cameras in private schools as a pilot project were discussed.
Not all private schools were equipped with this facility and in case the institutions with CCTV were chosen as exam centres, then chances of using those cameras fixed in classrooms for invigilation and other cameras fixed at various locations within the same campus to monitor remaining exam-related works were looked upon, the official added.
However, the Inspector of Matriculation Schools, K Chandran clarified that with less than 20 schools in the district equipped with CCTV cameras, they had not sent any instructions to schools and they were expecting a formal announcement from Directorate of Government Examination.
President, Private Matriculation Schools Association, R Vishalakshi said that the association had raised this issue during the last academic year (2013-14) as it would be of great support to prevent malpractices and the recorded video can be used a proof by invigilators, flying squads and by the students to support their argument in case of uncertainties if they are caught for involving in any malpractices during exams.
Not only exam hall invigilation, but also the question paper, answer sheet distribution and collection, bundling works can be monitored to make the process more transparent, she added.