Undue haste in implementing a new software has affected the smooth conduct of the higher secondary education (HSE) annual examinations, teachers say.
The deadlock seems to have delayed the distribution of hall tickets for the annual exams for Plus One students that begin on Wednesday. The hall tickets were uploaded after the model exam on Friday afternoon and its distribution will take place only on Wednesday morning in view of the three-day holiday from Saturday, they said.
“The problem could have been solved if the authorities had either delayed the rollout of the new software or rectified the hiccups after its implementation. Even the marks of the practical exams of Plus Two students, which began on February 14, could not be entered in view of the technical problems,” said M. Radhakrishnan, president of the Higher Secondary School Teachers Association (HSSTA).
The authorities were using the software ‘HSE Manager’ developed by higher secondary teachers for the conduct of the exam till the last academic year. From this year, ‘I Exam’ software developed by the National Informatics Centre will be used.
Denying the complaints raised by the teachers, S.S. Vivekanandan, Joint Director (Exams), Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, said the new software was introduced as part of the government policy to encourage the use of free software.
Technical problems
“The distribution of hall tickets has already started. Like any other new system, it is natural to have some technical problems when you implement a new software,” he said.
V.M. Jayapradeep, treasurer of the Ernakulam wing of HSSTA, said the confusion resulted in the inclusion of the Deputy Chief of Exams on the list of invigilators, forcing the authorities to withdraw it on Monday.
The list used to be published at least one week before the exams earlier. Moreover, the confusion over the new software had also led to the delay in entering the scores of the continuous evaluation, he said.
Final list
Mr. Vivekanandan said the final list of teachers appointed for invigilation duty would be published on Tuesday morning. “The publication of the list weeks before the exam will affect the secrecy attached to the process,” he said.