Bihar board topper thinks Political Science is about cooking! Did she cheat?

Psychiatrist Dr Pavan Sonar tells us why some students cheat!

By: Poorva Chavan | | Updated: June 3, 2016 1:24 pm

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Images and videos of parents and peers helping their wards in examination halls in Bihar are not new to us. Lack of strict rules and no role models on how not to cheat could be one of the biggest reasons for this. However, the after effects of such lawlessness have become evident in a new video that is being circulated all over the web. In the video, the class 12 exam topper from Bihar is being asked what is political science and her reply to the question is cooking. Also Read - Stressed over board exams? Spend 10 mins daily with nature

Such guffaws are not uncommon. Yes, people can get nervous and tongue-tied in front of the camera , and we are only talking about a 17-18-year-old girl from Bihar. However, if she can easily reply to first few questions about the subjects that she studied for her exam, she would at least not confuse political science with home science.

After this video started trending, the embarrassed Bihar Board which conducts these examinations has ordered a high level probe to re-check the merit of such students.

If these students find it difficult to answer such simple questions it is pretty obvious that there are various irregularities in conducting the exams or awarding marks. This brings us to the most important question, why do these students cheat?

Competition—Dr Pawan Sonar, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mumbai, says that one of the biggest reasons for students to cheat is that they are not there to learn. They go to schools and colleges to achieve marks or be competitive because which they are more likely to cheat. .

Pressure–The second reason for them to cheat is the pressure, either from their parents or peers or society. There could also have financial problems or some problem in the personal life which increases their need to pass an examination by hook or by crook.

Confidence–Many times students also lack confidence and they might think that they are not intelligent enough to crack that exam. They also might have no actual knowledge of the subject because of not studying which pushes them to cheat.

Surrounding situation–Many times, the situation in exam halls is conducive to cheat. There might be other students in the exam hall who are cheating and the supervisors might not catch them or ignore it, this gives other students a confidence to cheat because they are sure that they won’t be caught in the act.

Poor value system–Many times, teachers are not strict and are okay with cheating. Teachers themselves don’t think cheating is wrong. Teachers are not taught why it is important to not cheat.

The ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude–Dr Sonar says this ‘Chalta Hai’ attitude where everyone is okay with cheating and o one tells students why it is wrong. There’s no strict punishment when someone is caught cheating, this just reinforces the belief that cheating is alright and there is nothing wrong with it.

No role model–When students grow up in a place where criminals have an easy way out of their misdoings, it sets a very wrong precedent for the students. They start thinking that cheating is okay. Dr Sonar says that when students see that their seniors in their family or locality who have better opportunities by cheating, they feel that why shouldn’t they do it too. Somewhere they start feeling that this is right and they start doing cheating.

While these could be the few reasons why students cheat it is important for teachers and parents to understand the importance of exams and also counsel students on why one shouldn’t cheat.

Watch this video to know what the Bihar Class 12 topper had to say about political science.