Mumbai: Institute to take strict action against exam proctors after students allege harassment
Management assures students of an investigation into online harassment and remedial action; have also approached the police
One of the proctors stalked students online and left comments about their physical appearance, raising privacy concerns. Representation picture
A day after the shocking incident of harassment of girl students at a premier management institute was revealed, the institute has swung into action. Starting with instructing the technology service provider to look into the matter, the management has also approached the police for strict action.
The students, whose semester-end exams started on January 2, received messages from someone who claimed to be their exam proctor. The said person then stalked the girls on social media and posted comments on their physical appearance. Besides harassment, a complaint like this, raises serious concerns on privacy and data security in times of online learning during the pandemic.
“Whatever is happening is unfair and unjust on so many levels. We are sitting at home and feeling unsafe about some creep on the other end of the screen. While it is important to maintain the integrity of examinations during such tough times, colleges need to ensure a proper background check before appointments of invigilators and proctors,” shared a student on social media. After this, several girls from the institute came out with similar complaints.
The institute has taken cognisance of the incident and issued an official statement which read, “We have received emails from some students bringing to our attention the behaviour of online examination proctors impinging on the students’ privacy. The institute condemns the proctors’ behaviour and it is absolutely unacceptable from our end. The institute has raised these concerns with technology partner and they have assured taking strictest action, including approaching the police against these proctors indulging in such behaviour and violating the code of conduct.”
Furthermore, the statement by the technology service provider read, “The matter of proctor misconduct towards our students during the ongoing exams is being taken up as the highest priority. We are working with law enforcement authorities to investigate this matter and such misconduct will be strictly dealt with. We are conducting a detailed investigation into the issue and remedial action will be taken.”