Over 1.4 million 10th graders are taking the tests this week at more than 1,200 high schools across the state. Bihar's education minister P.K. Shahi told reporters that schools faced a difficult job to ensure exams took place under the strictest of conditions. He said: "It's virtually impossible to conduct fair examinations without the cooperation of parents." He added that it was not possible to monitor all parents who accompany their children to schools and other test centres. The situation regarding parents helping their children cheat has become so prevalent that police officers are posted to each school. However, an official said, "we can't use force to drive away the parents".