Ban loudspeakers during exams: Forum

Our Correspondent

Kangra, February 27

The Forum of Educationists for Improvement in School Education (FEISE) today urged the state government to ban the use of loudspeakers during the board examinations. The school board authorities should set up a helpline to address the complaints of noise pollution during the board examinations.

RK Prashar, president, FEISE, said, “As most school board examinations are scheduled to begin from March 3 and conclude on March 25, a ban on the use of high volume sound systems, both in public places and residential areas, should be imposed during this period.” He said the ban should be enforced at least three days before the start of the examinations.

Prashar said, “It is usually noticed that people organise religious, cultural and social events during these days and the use of such gizmos causes noise pollution, disturbing students in their studies.”

He rued that the state Department of Environment and the state Pollution Control Board appeared unconcerned about the upcoming board examinations and had not so far issued advisory to field staff to restrict the use of high decibel microphones, loudspeakers and amplifiers during the examinations.

The forum suggested that board officials, deputed to raid examination centres to curb mass copying, be empowered to track down those violating the noise pollution norms.