Chennai students to appear for exams barefoot

Chennai: In Tamil Nadu it is not enough if students leave their books and bags outside their examination hall. According to a new order for class ten and twelve public exams starting next month, students will have to leave their shoes, socks and belts as well.

This controversial order is in a bid to check malpractices.

This practice is already being followed by some schools.

A Karuppasamy, Joint Director of Government Exams, says, "They hide bits of papers in their shoes..."

Less than half a per cent of students indulge in malpractices. Most of them are private candidates. Is it okay to treat all students as suspects?
 
There are mixed reactions among students and schools.

"No, we are used to wearing shoes. When forced to remove we won't feel confident, this will affect our performance and we may lose marks", says a student, while another says, "This will actually motivate students to study well for exams..."

G J L Manoharan, Head Master of MCC Higher Secondary School says, "It is just one or two who indulge in malpractices, but the rule has to be for all."

After objections in the media over the new rule, the department of education has said that it may tone down the directive, asking schools to implement it only when they suspect a student might try to cheat.