Making a mockery of the HSLC exams Go in for a re-examination
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Question paper leak-Confirmed. Status of candidates-Unclear. Examination-High School Leaving Certificate Examination 2025 or Matric exam. The question paper leak is itself abominable but the rationality in the stand of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur to put on hold a final decision on whether the leak merits a re-examination of the question paper or not is mind boggling. On the very day, February 25, the question leak was confirmed, an official of BOSEM reportedly said that no final decision has been taken on whether there would be a re-examination or not. Beats logic for here is a case of BOSEM refusing to announce immediate steps to right the wrong when in fact entire examinations such as the ones conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission are known to have been cancelled on grounds of discrepancies such as mark tampering. The question leakage itself is highly condemnable but equally illogical is the dithering stand of BOSEM on whether a re-examination would be held or not. The damage has already been done and while the culprits involved in leaking the question paper should be penalised, there is no ground for the Board to dither on something as important as the future of the young students. The question paper for Social Science was found to have been leaked 30 minutes before the examination on February 25 and this should be an open and shut case. Or is it a case of BOSEM working out to assess the extent of the damage caused ? Is there is any technicalities involved, such as the ‘question paper was leaked just 30 minutes before the exam so it would not have reached majority of the candidates ?’ Defies logic. Already parents have gone to town demanding a re-examination of the said paper for this is all about ensuring a level playing field for everyone. A police case has been lodged, is the information that one has received from BOSEM, but what about justice to the young students ? And here justice should not only be about penalising the guilty but should involve ensuring a level playing field for all the candidates. Or is this asking for too much ? The priority of BOSEM should be clear and the first step is to ensure that it is all about fairness. A look at the reality should more than tell its own story and if BOSEM has not come to grips with the reality then one can only shed tears at the fate of the students who are appearing in an examination conducted by a Board which appears intent in not taking up any steps to right the wrongs.
Not unexpectedly, parents of the students have gone on record to demand a re-examination of the paper which was leaked. None can fault the parents for airing their demand and the Board should take heed of the legitimate demand raised. It says something profound that parents and elders of the family feel the need to come out and demand something, which the Board should have done without any prodding. Or is there an issue for BOSEM to dither before going in for a re-examination of the paper which was leaked ? Only officials of the Board can answer this question, but it should be more than clear that this is an open and shut case. There are no ifs on whether the paper was leaked or not. It should be more than clear that the re-examination demand is nothing short of calling for a level playing field for all the candidates and if the Board cannot entertain this legitimate demand then is there something more than meets the eye ? Ultimately the Board should be answerable for the question leak and while those found directly involved should be penalised and made to face the music, the Board cannot absolve itself of the rot that has come spilling out. And if BOSEM has its way and no re-exam is conducted, would it be in a position to give the ‘clean all’ stamp to all the candidates, even those who could have had an unfair upper hand by just going through the leaked question paper just 10 minutes before the exam ? Be fair. Hold a re-examination. This is the duty of the Board.
Not unexpectedly, parents of the students have gone on record to demand a re-examination of the paper which was leaked. None can fault the parents for airing their demand and the Board should take heed of the legitimate demand raised. It says something profound that parents and elders of the family feel the need to come out and demand something, which the Board should have done without any prodding. Or is there an issue for BOSEM to dither before going in for a re-examination of the paper which was leaked ? Only officials of the Board can answer this question, but it should be more than clear that this is an open and shut case. There are no ifs on whether the paper was leaked or not. It should be more than clear that the re-examination demand is nothing short of calling for a level playing field for all the candidates and if the Board cannot entertain this legitimate demand then is there something more than meets the eye ? Ultimately the Board should be answerable for the question leak and while those found directly involved should be penalised and made to face the music, the Board cannot absolve itself of the rot that has come spilling out. And if BOSEM has its way and no re-exam is conducted, would it be in a position to give the ‘clean all’ stamp to all the candidates, even those who could have had an unfair upper hand by just going through the leaked question paper just 10 minutes before the exam ? Be fair. Hold a re-examination. This is the duty of the Board.