To check cheating, Bihar govt to have bar-coded answersheets

In a bid to avoid toppers scam as it had surfaced last year, the Bihar government has decided to introduce bar coding of answersheets and formation of a WhatsApp group to deal with complaints of cheating at any examination centre. According to Bihar government officials, the foolproof move has been initiated to put a check on rampant cheating practices in Bihar Education School Board's (BESB) Class 12th examination.

Bihar School Education Board Chairman Anand Kishore held a detailed meeting through video-conferencing with district officials to ensure that no cheating takes place during the plus two examinations for 2017 across the state.

"Bar coding of answer sheets have been planned in plus two examination 2017 seeing its success in matriculation exam and compartment exam of the 12th level," BESB chairman said, adding that the bar coding would be done by an agency under supervision of a Chief Secrecy officer, deputy chief secrecy officer and secrecy officer. Kishore further stated that bar coding would be carried on the pattern of election work under district official. He said district officials could go for videography of areas near boundary wall of an exam centre as per the need.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting which was attended by BSEB Secretary Anup Kumar Sinha, Controller of examination UK Choubey and others. At the meet, it was also decided to form a WhatsApp group linking senior BSEB officials with divisional commissioners, Inspector General of Police, DIG, DM, senior superintendent of police, district education officer and secrecy officers among other.

"The WhatsApp group could exchange information in a faster manner to ensure cheating-free exam. Besides, a round-the-clock control room would be running by the BSEB in connection with state plus two exam for this year," the chairman said.