Teacher explains use of ‘anti-cheating’ headbands

MANILA, Philippines – She was already fed up with students cheating during exams, but she was criticized when she finally found a way to avoid it.

Jurinda Manaug of Nasipit National High School in Agusan del Norte got online attention after posting pictures of her students wearing a folder-made head covering while taking an exam. Accordingly, this is to prevent students from looking and copying from their seatmates.

“I did this strategy 2 years ago. Base on my observation for the past 10 years, students’ study habits decreased when the use of technology increased. The tendency is they will cheat,” Manaug, 45, told Rappler.

She also emphasized that her students were well-aware of wearing head coverings during major exams as she already announced it when classes started in June.

“They (students) have no complaints about (it), in fact they’re the ones who defended me from online bashers,” she added.

A student speaks

Remil Vincent Lagumbay, a former student of Manaug and now in senior high school, described the teacher as “friendly but serious when it comes to class activities”. He added Manaug is the kind of teacher who will not give up on you until you learned the lesson of the day.

“Agree po ako sa strategy ni ma’am. Naobserbahan po niya na tini-take for granted na lang po ng mga students ang exam at marami po sa kanila ay kuntento na sa mabababang scores. Ang iba ay umaasa nalang sa pangongopya sa kaklase” Lagumbay said in an interview

(I agree with the teacher’s strategy. She observed that students are taking the exam for granted and many of the students are contented with low scores. Some are even relying on copying from their classmates)

Online comments

A teacher commenting on the Facebook post said, “Parang pinapamukha mo sa students mo na wala kang tiwala sa kanila. Lagi kong sinasabi sa students ko na naniniwala ako sa kanila at sa kakayahan nila.

(It’s like showing your students that you don’t trust them at all. I always say to my students that I believe in them and in their capabilities.)

“But remember, a teacher can create his/her own policy in the classroom but I think it’s too much. Proper instruction before taking the exam is enough.” Marlon Samson Brian, also a teacher, commented while emphasizing classroom management.  

After drawing mixed online reactions, Manaug changed the privacy of the Facebook post, adding she wanted to have a peaceful private life.

Similar case

In 2013, a similar incident went viral in Facebook when Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand posted a picture of its Agro-industry student wearing the same ‘anti-cheating’ headbands while taking an exam.

After it got around the internet, the Bangkok Post reported the university issued a public apology saying that it will be the first and last time the hats would be used. – Rappler.com