Exam cheats have evolved

15th April 2005, 1:00am
Why are humans the most successful species on the planet? Inventiveness and adept use of tools are major factors, so it is no surprise that more teenagers are using mobiles to cheat in exams.

Thai students have cheated using vibrating pagers and arms and cuffs were a favourite in the days of ink. Short of insisting exams are sat in police-issue paper jumpsuits, some determined cheats will get away with it.

The trend for teachers to “help” pupils is more worrying. Doubts over coursework devalue the education system, and more blatant fiddles - heads altering results - are not unknown. The new government will need to examine the pressure, overt and covert, being applied in the name of raising standards.