Gondia tops in copying cases, and pass percentage!

NAGPUR: With the state board cracking down hard on copying during board exams, the Nagpur and Amravati divisions, which cover Vidarbha, have accounted for half of the total copying cases in HSC 2012. This year Vidarbha had a total of 50% copying cases in the state, marginally better than last year's 55%.
Within the six districts of Nagpur division, Gondia has the top spot in the rogues gallery.While divisional chairman Chandramani Borkar did not divulge exact figures for Gondia, he did confirm that the highest number of copying cases were registered in that district.
What was surprising was that even though Gondia had the most copying cases, it still managed to have the highest pass percentage in Nagpur division. With a pass percentage of 74.96% Gondia stood tall among the rest. While no official would openly discuss it, many feel that the copying problem in Gondia is far more rampant and many students take admission there after std X just so they can pass by copying.
An official of the board told TOI on condition of anonymity, "We are facing a predicament regarding copying cases. If we do not take serious action and catch those indulging in malpractice then the media gives us flak for mismanagement at rural centres. Now that we have cracked the whip and copying numbers have skyrocketed, we are still being ridiculed for mismanagement."
However, statistics show that there has been a drop in copying cases as compared to last year. In 2011, there were 2,400 cases of copying in Vidarbha region and the number has plummeted to 1,327 this year. Borkar said, "We took very strong action last year and hence you are seeing these numbers. With a crackdown on copycats you are witnessing quality results from Nagpur division, as well as from across the state."
There were reports of an alleged mass copying incident from Bhandara for which the board had set up an inquiry. On Friday, Borkar announced that the inquiry committee did not find any case of mass copying and a final report will be sent to the headquarters for further review.