The Karnataka government is actively promoting plans to install mobile cell phone jammers in college classrooms to combat cheating in exams and classroom order. The initiative, led by the Karnataka Higher Education Department, aims to eliminate the use of mobile phones by students and teachers in class and ensure the fairness of exams. It is understood that the signal jammer device was developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore and is specially designed for classroom environments.
Signal jammers to combat cheating in exams and classroom distractions
More and more students are frequently using mobile phones in class, resulting in reduced teaching efficiency. In addition, even in the case of clear prohibitions, students still cheat during exams through devices such as Bluetooth headsets and smart watches. These phenomena have attracted the attention of the higher education department and prompted the government to consider taking technical measures to curb them.
An official involved in the project noted, “Despite a strict ban on the use of mobile phones and electronic devices during exams, some students continue to use technology to cheat. Installing phone jammer devcies will effectively stop the use of these devices in exam halls and classrooms.” He added that the jammer devices will help schools focus on tackling abuses in the classroom rather than affecting network connectivity across the campus.
Government sources further explained that the decision to install signal blocker jammers is not only for students, but also in response to complaints about some teachers using mobile phones during lectures. A senior official in the higher education department pointed out, “The introduction of such devices will ensure that the focus in class is on learning rather than being distracted by mobile phones.”
UGC’s support and wider adoption
This move is not an isolated incident. In fact, the University Grants Commission (UGC) recently called on higher education institutions across the country to install similar signal jammers in examination centers to eliminate malpractice in examinations. This shows that Karnataka’s move is in line with the nationwide trend of improving academic integrity.
According to statistics, Karnataka currently has more than 430 government colleges, 417 private aided colleges and 1,803 private unaided colleges. In addition, the state also has more than 200 engineering colleges and more than 300 polytechnics and diploma colleges. Such a large network of educational institutions makes the installation of mobile phone jammers of great significance and will help maintain discipline in examination halls and teaching order.
Positive significance of deploying signal jammers
Effectively curb cheating in exams
- Installing mobile phone jammer devices in university classrooms and examination halls can prevent students from cheating through devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth headsets, smart watches, etc. This will significantly improve the fairness and impartiality of exams and help maintain the integrity of the education system.
- This move is also in line with the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote colleges and universities across the country to strengthen the prevention and control of improper behavior in exams and bring positive changes to the examination environment across the country.
Improve the quality of classroom teaching
- The introduction of portable phone jammers will effectively reduce students' distracting behavior in class and ensure that students can focus on learning content instead of frequently using their mobile phones for social or entertainment activities. This will help improve classroom teaching efficiency and promote more effective knowledge transfer.
- In addition, the installation of jammer blockers also responded to complaints that some teachers use mobile phones during lectures, further standardizing teaching behavior and ensuring that teachers and students focus on teaching.
Maintaining academic discipline and order
- By installing cellphone jammers in classrooms and examination rooms, universities can more effectively maintain academic discipline. This not only helps to cultivate students' sense of self-discipline, but also creates a more serious learning and examination atmosphere and promotes the formation of a good academic culture.
