The NEET exam (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) that was held on May 7, 2017, sparked a lot of controversies all over the country. The NEET exam organized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was overly criticized for its militant methods. Not only was the exam a bit tricky, but the Board overdid itself on setting up the ground rules for the candidates.
Male candidates were expected to come in for the exams only wearing half-sleeved shirts and pants. Shoes were a strict no inside the exam hall. They could not wear watches and could only use doctor prescribed lens spectacles inside the hall. It was, even more, hassling for the girls, who were also expected to wear half-sleeved Kurti/top with leggings/pants. They were barred from wearing any sort of accessories. Even burkas and kurta pajamas were prohibited from being worn.
While some of the candidates were pre-informed, most of them attended the exams with no idea as to what the rules were. Many male students who had arrived with full-sleeved shirts had to customize it themselves by cutting off the sleeves. Those who came in with shoes had to leave them behind and go in barefoot. It was extremely stressful for the children to find themselves put under such a special test before the actual test began.
Some of the female candidates found themselves put in rather humiliating situations. Some of the girls had to forcibly remove their earrings and others had to purchase proper pants and tops minutes before the exam started. The most disturbing story was that of the girl who attended her exams in Kannur. While passing through the metal detectors, the girl set off the alarms because of the metal hook in her top innerwear. She was made to remove her innerwear and hand it over to her mother.
It is true that examinations involve certain strict rules and regulations, but NEET 2017 overdid themselves in their attempts to curtail cheating. It is true that with increasing technology, students find themselves with a variety of methods to cheat. Despite preventive measures, candidates find new and innovative ways to cheat their exams. However, do the steps taken by the Board really have a righteous justification or is it just an excuse to hide the Board’s immense paranoia?
In an attempt to cut down cheating, the NEET exam authorities put candidates who had already gone through a long, stressful period of cramming for the exams, in a pickle. Along with the pre-existing exam jitters, candidates had to undergo a mental stress of keeping up with the dress code. No matter what excuse is given, the uptight demeanor of the exams can never be justified.
Asking a girl to remove her top innerwear just for the sake of security is inexcusable. The Board should treat students as students, and not like criminals. If this kind of security measures were put into force all across the country, actual terrorism can be stopped. Instead of narrowing the candidates before one of the significant exams of their lives, the Board could have come up with some other subtle yet strong actions. As a suggestion, more invigilators could have been set up for each hall. If a certain type of dress code is to be expected, it can be made clear days before the exam. There is no point in troubling already nervous candidates just a few minutes before their exam.
In the end, the Board has to realize who they are dealing with and make sure they solve their issues hassle-free. Only confident and positive atmospheres can bring the best out of examinees. Who knows, the ones you troubled today for the sake of a dress code can possibly deny your access to their hospitals tomorrow.
Written by Ramya Ashok Kumar