Kannad mass copying case: Suspension proposal against 19 staffers submitted, offence against 24

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The zilla parishad education officer has submitted proposal for suspension of 19 staffers on duty at Rashtriya Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Kannad taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where a case of mass copying came to light during the state board's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam on Tuesday. In all, criminal cases have been filed against 24 staffers, including those against whom proposal for suspension has been submitted to the Zilla Parishad education department. Anil Sable, chairman, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), confirmed that action had been taken under the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examination Act, 1982. "We will conduct a separate evaluation of the English subject answer sheets from the centre to establish the extent of mass copying. Any students found guilty will face strict action as per the established rules," Sable stated. The malpractice was uncovered during a surprise visit on Tuesday by a flying squad led by Ashwini Lathkar, education officer (secondary) for the Zilla Parishad. At the time of the raid, 327 students were appearing for their exams across 14 classrooms. "During our inspection, we found students in possession of photocopied study materials. Upon reviewing the center's CCTV footage, it was clearly visible that supervisors were actively assisting students in malpractices. We also observed students openly copying from one another's answer sheets," Lathkar said. Following a thorough investigation, an FIR was registered with the Kannad police on Tuesday night against 24 people, including the examination centre director. "The suspension process is underway for the supervising teachers and members of the Zilla Parishad sitting squad. Furthermore, we have issued instructions for disciplinary proceedings against employees of the private institutions involved," Lathkar added. In response to the scandal, the state board has issued a mandatory directive: every examination center must now have a functional CCTV system, and all cameras must remain operational throughout the examination period. FIR filed in Beed copying caseFollowing a viral drone video of an HSC examination centre in Chausala, Beed, where people were seen moving around the premises on Tuesday, district collector Vivek Johnson ordered the tehsildar to review the CCTV footage inside the classrooms. "While the windows were closed, the CCTV footage showed teachers and students passing chits. FIR has been filed against 16 teachers and the centre head on Wednesday," he said.Parli college under scannerA college in Parli, Beed district, has come under investigation following allegations that it was operating out of a residential building lacking basic educational facilities. A group of Class XII students assigned to the college as an exam centre were reportedly moved to a nearby school to take their tests.Beed education officer Priyarani Patil stated that a detailed report has been sought from the block education officer. "While excess students are sometimes shifted to nearby institutions for logistics, we are investigating the claims regarding the college's infrastructure. We will determine the next steps once the official report is submitted," she said.