In a country where one examination can make or break students’ prospects, taking retests may excruciatingly tire out the young minds. Youngsters pin their faith on the examination bodies hoping the latter would assess their labour and skill in a fair manner. The physical and mental stress associated with the preparation of path-defining exams are better left unsaid. When the examination boards fail to come true to the students’ expectations, then all hell breaks loose. This exactly is the situation in the country after question papers of two subjects were available to many students, parents, not to mention of the teachers, the night before the actual examination took place. Though the leak of papers is said to have taken place in Delhi, NCR and Haryana, the repercussions are felt country-wide. Around 1000 students were in possession of the hand written question papers of Maths and Economics of tenth and twelfth standard respectively. The body which conducted the exam, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) woke up only after there was an uproar.
Now we also know that the CBSE ignored an email received hours before the said exams began. If some reports that the anonymous letters to CBSE on possible leaks well before 48 hours went unnoticed are to be believed, then the CBSE is in big trouble. From setting of papers, which usually begins well in advance, to their printing, stocking in safe places, and transferring them to examination centres on the day of the exams should be watertight. Secrecy must literally be the code word in exams of such a gigantic proportion. There are no excuses for a single breach in holding the exams. Governments keep officers and staff, and pay them lucrative remunerations, to fulfil their duties without lack of application of mind. When they fail, heads should roll immediately. The authorities’ distinct lack of accountability and remorse are appalling.
It is time the Centre takes into confidence all stakeholders to put in place an examination system which leaves no leeway to manipulation by the criminals and the greedy. If the government’s intentions are noble, the people of India will not hesitate to be on its side.
