It is disappointing to note that several cases of malpractice, which means cheating and copying, were reported in the HSC examinations across the state. There was even one report of a student using bluetooth on his phone to copy.

As students scramble and try to outpace examiners by cheating using increasingly sophisticated methods, educational institutes, families, guardians have to drill in to youngsters that cheating means cheating nobody but yourselves.

We have helplines and counsellors for students who may be stressed before exams. We have experts who can bring teenagers out of the dangerous abyss they may slide into, if results do not meet expectations. Mental health is factored in today, which is certainly a good step ahead, given the pressure-cooker atmosphere in our educational institutes.

It is time to pay more attention to the cheating and deception that students may indulge in during exams. Stress the fact that this may help them temporarily but certainly not in the long run, or in life.

It is taking away somebody's legitimate hard work and results and that is not just unfair but criminal too. Cheating is not just about hoodwinking your invigilators or the system, it is about bringing out a base, dark side of yourself and about depriving not just others, but yourself of your potential.

There are no short cuts in life, and little to be said for easy gains got in a convoluted, twisted manner. It is frankly despicable and there is no joy in showing up with a result aided by cheating.

There is certainly more honour in failing and trying again. This is the lesson that must be taught from the very beginning and cannot be reinforced strongly enough.

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