Mass Copying At Kangra School; Teacher Suspended

Dharamsala : The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has suspended an inspector and ordered immediate shifting of the entire examination center in Kangra district following evidence of mass cheating during the ongoing board exams, officials said on Saturday. The action at Prime Minister Shri Government Senior Secondary School at Jawali in Kangra district followed reports of large-scale irregularities, including video evidence of a teacher verbally dictating answers to students in the examination hall, officials said.

In an official statement, Chairman Rajesh Sharma said the decision came in the wake of numerous complaints and video evidence alleging serious irregularities at the Jawali centre. The examination center has been moved to Government Secondary School in Matlahar.

The Director of School Education suspended the center principal Ravi Bhandari, a biology teacher, with immediate effect. The suspension order included gross abuse of official position, failure to maintain integrity and conduct unbecoming of a public servant.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a teacher in the exam hall verbally dictated the answers to multiple choice questions to students. The board described the incident as a clear case of mass cheating that undermined the credibility of the examination system.

The Board directed the Jawali Sub District Magistrate’s Office to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report to the Board headquarters. Officials said such incidents jeopardize the exam interests of hard-working students.

To maintain transparency and fairness, Jawali exam center has been cancelled. All candidates appointed to the center will appear at Government Secondary School, Matlahar, for their remaining papers.

An investigation was launched against the center coordinator, center manager and deputy director. The bench also wrote to the Himachal Pradesh Education Department in Shimla, recommending exemplary disciplinary measures against those found responsible.

Chairman Sharma said the Board maintains its policy of zero tolerance towards unfair means and is committed to maintaining the sanctity of the examination process. He warned that anyone found facilitating abuse of power would face strict sanctions to ensure “such incidents are not repeated”.