West Bengal Says No Bathroom Breaks During Exams – But Is This Going Too Far?
Okay, let’s talk about this. The West Bengal education board just dropped a bombshell—students can’t use the bathroom during exams anymore. At all. The goal? Stopping cheaters. But man, this has blown up into a full-blown controversy. And honestly, I get both sides. Cheating’s a real problem, but denying basic bodily needs? That’s a tough sell.
So What’s the Rule Exactly?
Simple and brutal—once you sit down for that exam, you’re stuck there. No exceptions. No quick trips to the loo, even if you’re bursting. The board says it’s the only way to stop students from sneaking in notes or sharing answers during bathroom breaks. And sure, cheating happens—I remember kids in my school pulling stunts like that. But this feels like using a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito.
Why Are People So Pissed Off? (Pun Intended)
First off, students and parents are furious—and rightly so. Imagine holding it in for three hours straight. Not fun. Doctors are chiming in too, saying this could lead to UTIs or worse. And let’s not forget the anxiety factor. If you’re stressed about wetting yourself, how the heck are you supposed to focus on calculus?
But here’s the thing—some teachers and officials are backing the rule. They’re fed up with cheating scandals and say desperate times call for desperate measures. They point to places like Bihar or China where extreme measures kinda worked. But here’s my take: just because others do it doesn’t make it right.
Is This Even Legal?
Good question. Lawyers are arguing it might violate basic rights—especially for kids with medical conditions. Like, what if a student has diabetes and needs to pee frequently? Are they just supposed to fail because of biology? Feels messed up.
What’s the Alternative?
Instead of treating all students like criminals, why not try:
- More invigilators—because eyes in the room beat locking down bladders.
- Supervised bathroom breaks—yeah, it’s awkward, but less cruel.
- Maybe, just maybe, addressing why kids cheat in the first place? The pressure to score high is insane these days.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about bathrooms. It’s about how far we’ll go to stop cheating—and whether we’re punishing everyone for the actions of a few. There’s gotta be a smarter way. Because right now? This rule feels less about fairness and more about control.
What do you think? Necessary evil or just plain evil? Drop your thoughts below.
Source: News18 Hindi – Nation
