Team Herald

PANJIM: The Executive Council of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has prima facie observed major lapses in the setting of the Class X English paper, which sparked a major controversy as one of the questions portrayed the government in poor light, as it dealt with corruption and job opportunities.

GBSHSE that was inquiring into the matter, on Friday submitted its interim report to the Executive Council, which admitted lapses in the question paper. The Board has been directed to submit its final report, based on which a decision will be taken.

Sources revealed that the Council is of the view that there were lapse on the part of teachers, who set the paper. “But no decision has been taken today (Friday). Based on the final report, and taking into account the observations of the interim report, the Council will decide the course of action,” sources added.

Directorate of Education (DoE) had last month issued notices to four teachers who were involved in setting the Class X English paper.

A question, which was a conversation between two persons, had one stating that he would opt for a Portuguese passport to get a job as jobs were scarce in Goa, and that one needs to have influence and money to get a job. A question also mentioned of corruption in the State.

BJP has demanded action against the paper setter, scrutiniser and all involved in clearing the paper’s content.