Ex-Servicemen Volunteer for SSLC Exam Security Duty in Gadag District
In a unique initiative to ensure the integrity of secondary school examinations, ex-servicemen in Gadag district have joined forces with the education department and local police to provide voluntary security services at SSLC examination centers. This collaborative effort, particularly focused in Ron taluk, aims to prevent malpractice and maintain order during the critical academic assessments.
Three-Year Tradition of Service
The involvement of ex-servicemen in examination security represents a growing tradition that has now entered its third consecutive year. According to Prabhugouda Patil, president of the Akhila Karnataka Ex-Serviceman Unit in Ron, their participation began after formal requests from school authorities who were struggling with examination irregularities.
"Our ex-servicemen are currently deployed at three specific examination centers: Holealur, Itagi, and Belavaniki," Patil explained to media sources. "These locations had previously experienced significant problems with mass copying incidents and disturbances created by local individuals during SSLC examinations."
Addressing Historical Examination Challenges
The decision to involve military veterans stemmed from persistent issues that had plagued certain examination centers in the region. The education department had previously considered relocating problematic centers to different venues as a strategy to combat cheating and disruptions. However, school authorities ultimately determined that engaging ex-servicemen for security oversight presented a more practical and effective solution.
Patil detailed the procedural steps: "When school officials approached us about providing security assistance, we advised them to first obtain proper authorization from their departmental superiors. After securing the necessary permissions, we were officially cleared to serve at the examination centers."
Structured Security Protocol
The ex-servicemen operate under clearly defined parameters during their security duties. All personnel wear uniforms and work alongside regular police staff, maintaining positions outside examination halls and within school premises rather than entering testing rooms directly.
"Our primary responsibilities include monitoring for suspicious movements, preventing attempts to pass unauthorized materials, and ensuring that no disruptive activities occur in or around the examination venues," Patil clarified. "We also conduct preliminary checks on students before they enter the examination halls to prevent prohibited items from being brought inside."
Tangible Results and Voluntary Commitment
The implementation of ex-servicemen security details has yielded measurable improvements in examination integrity. According to Patil, "Since we began guarding these three centers, instances of malpractice have decreased dramatically. Currently, such activities have been virtually eliminated at these locations."
Each examination center benefits from the presence of 10-15 ex-servicemen who provide their services completely without compensation. Patil personally oversees operations at the Belavaniki center, emphasizing that their work complements rather than replaces existing police security arrangements.
Official Endorsement and Future Expansion
RS Buradi, the Deputy Director of Public Instruction for Gadag district, expressed strong support for the program after witnessing it firsthand during center inspections. "During my visits to examination centers in Ron taluk, I was genuinely impressed to see ex-servicemen performing security duties," Buradi stated.
"We have received consistently positive feedback from school administrators regarding the effectiveness of their services. Based on this successful experience, I intend to explore possibilities for expanding ex-servicemen involvement to additional examination centers next year, provided they remain willing to volunteer their time and expertise," Buradi added, highlighting the potential for broader implementation of this security model.
This innovative partnership between military veterans and educational authorities represents a community-driven approach to maintaining academic standards while utilizing the discipline and experience of former service members for public benefit.
