CHENNAI: In a complete overhaul of the current recruitment system, the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) has decided not to outsource recruitment exam-related work like scanning of OMR answer sheets and data processing in future following the scam in polytechnic lecturers’ recruitment. The board also likely to set up a technical wing to take care of printing and supplying of OMR answer sheets, scanning and data processing, according to sources. To restrict the unauthorised persons entering into TRB office, the board also introduced a biometric entry and exits for the staff members at the office in DPI campus.
As per the existing method, the TRB used to entrust the works of designing, printing and supply of OMR sheets, scanning of OMR answer sheets, data processing and data management to private companies on contract basis. But, in polytechnic lecturers’ recruitment, it was found out that of 2,000 candidates who were called for certificate verification, 200 candidates had qualified with fake marks in the written exam.
An enquiry by the TRB revealed that the employees of a private company which scanned OMR answer sheets and data processing had manipulated marks in written exam while entering the marks. “The board is trying to come out with a foolproof recruitment system before the next recruitment. It was decided not to outsource any exam related works in future,” sources said.
There is also a proposal to buy scanners for TRB to scan the OMR sheets and recruit more staff members to enable the board to do exam works in-house. TRB also requested an additional floor with the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation which owns the EVK Sampath building at DPI Campus to house the new technical wing and the scanners.
Sources also said the Teachers Recruitment Board is preparing the annual calendar for the year 2018. “The TRB will begin 2018 with the recruitment of agriculture instructors and assistant elementary educational officers. Teacher Eligibility Test, the recruitment of assistant professors to Government Arts and Science Colleges are also in the pipeline,” sources added.
TRB has conducted written exam for 1,058 lecturer posts in Government Polytechnic Colleges on September 16 last year. Over 1.33 lakh candidates wrote the exam. The board has published the results and the shortlisted candidates for certificate verification on November 7, 2017. Following the complaints, TRB has unearthed a recruitment scam in which around 200 candidates were qualified for certificate verification with fake marks. Each candidate allegedly paid Rs 25 lakhs to Rs 30 lakhs to the touts. After withdrawing the earlier results, the board has released new results with original OMR answer sheets. It has also formally lodged a complaint with the police. The CCB (Central Crime Branch) is investigating the case and so far the police have arrested 7 persons in connection with the scam and one was surrendered in the court.
