Have you ever cheated in the classroom?

Angga "Bejat", 15, South Jakarta: Of course I've cheated, both on tests and homework. People copy other people's homework all the time, until a particularly diligent person's notebook can become the class property! For multiple choice tests, I'd use some sort of code with my friends. A specific hand position could mean either a, b, c or d. I also used cheat sheets, and wrote on the desks. I kept on cheating until Junior High School ended.

I wanted good grades, and I was too lazy to study, so of course I was unprepared for tests. At first I felt guilty for cheating but after my 50th or so time, I was like, "Ah, who cares!"

My school expels students who are caught cheating on tests. That rule's been active for about two or three years. So far we've had less than 10 people expelled, two have been expelled this school year. This is for senior highschool (grade 10-12); for junior high school (grade 7-9) if you're caught cheating you're not allowed to continue to senior high school in the school.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the getting-expelled- if-you're-caught-cheating rule. I agree that honesty should be the top priority in a school.

Maya, 18, Karang Tengah Permai, Tangerang: Yes, I cheated all the time. It became a habit, plus I wanted my tests to be "completed", or "perfected" you could say. I would use cheat sheets, and codes with my friends.

If you were caught cheating in my school, they'd jot down your examination number, and report you to the dean or teacher of your subject. Then you'd get your marks lowered.

I think my school's way of dealing with cheaters is fine, I agree with taking their test papers away and sending them out of the class room. That's fair enough punishment.

Dewi, 19, Tangerang: I cheated often during high school. Sometimes I felt guilty about it, because I pitied all those people who actually studied and then maybe forgot some things, then they wouldn't get good grades. I'd get good grades by simply cheating.

I cheated because I wasn't well prepared and I thought of improving my grades. I went to the same school as Maya, and I agree with what she says.

Rudi, 21, South Jakarta: In high school, I only cheated once. That was on a chemistry test, which I couldn't remember all the formulas for. I got caught, so that was the end of that!

In my school, they took away your answer sheet and you'd be forbidden from participating in the test. I think that's fair enough punishment for people who cheat. Although I do think that teachers could deal with students more firmly. They should call the parents and have their marks lowered.

Bell Dandi, 19, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta: I cheated frequently during my first year of junior high. I didn't see any reason why not. I used codes with my hands for multiple choice exams. I stopped because I had these pangs of conscience, it just didn't feel right, damn it!

My school's punishments for cheaters depends on the type of tests they were caught cheating on. If it was for an everyday test then it's up to the teacher who catches you to punish you.

If it was a big end of term test, then that's a big deal. There was evidence of cheating during one end-of-term test while I was still at school. Three whole classes were called up, because the "suspect" was in one of them. The principal was involved and everything. We don't know what happened to the girl, they kept it a secret. They didn't expel her though.

I think the ideal punishment for someone who's caught cheating should be for them to stand in a public place, holding an enormous piece of cardboard with the words, "I cheated and this is my punishment." -- Rani Lukita