Goof-up mars Class-XII Council exam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 02 2013 : While Md Ismat of Zenith Higher Secondary School, Ghari proved that Manipur is not only about insurgencies, sports and rich cultural heritage but its youngsters are capable of competing with the country's best in the field of education as well, officials of Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM) seemingly lack even the basic expertise on how to conduct examination, set question papers, to be precise.

It may be mentioned that in a first of its kind for the State Md Ismat put Manipur on the map of educational excellence by topping the all india CBSE-conducted class XII examination held last year.

To their pleasant surprise candidates appearing in the ongoing COHSEM-conducted class XII at Enlightened knowledge (EK) higher Secondary School, Sangakpham realised that the question paper handed to them actually contained ready-made answers.

Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM) Logo

However, their joy lasted for a few moments as the invigilator(s) on duty seized the question-answer papers consequently leading to the cancellation of the day's exam schedule.

Based on complaint lodged by some of the candidates, DESAM secretary general Arambam Thoithoi Singh informed newspersons at its keishampat office that Science Engineering Drawing subject was supposed to be conducted at 9 am today.

Conveying that a total of 89 students, mostly from Government schools, opted for the said subject for this year's examination, he maintained six out of the total candidates were in the EK Higher Secondary School centre.

Upon perusing the question paper these candidates found the answer spaces already occupied with answers, said Thoithoi while accusing the Council authorities of duty dereliction and lacking professionalism.

Demanding suitable punitive action against the Council officials concerned with setting the question paper or tasked with conducting the said examination, he also insisted that the Government of Manipur take every possible measures at the earliest to ensure the students do not suffer academically.

According to some of the candidates, soon after discovering the goof-up the invigilator recollected the question papers and the students asked to vacate the examination hall till the matter is resolved.

Joining the condemnation against alleged incompatibility of the Council, Students' Welfare Association of Kangleipak (SWAK), in a statement issued here deplored inconveniences and mental trauma caused to the candidates, consequent to the question paper goof-up.

Contending that only a total of 17 students, spread at six centres, opted for the Engineering Drawing subject this year, SWAK secretary general Jankinath Aribam wondered whether the Council assigned the task of setting the question to some individuals without taking into account their credibility.

Noting that the said subject was introduced as a class XII examination curriculum only last year, SWAK suggested that Engineering Drawing be deleted from the examination schedule for good rather than cause anxiety to candidates.

Demanding that the guilty Council officials be pulled up for suitable action, Jankinath also asked the Council authorities to ensure that such error do not recur.

While the DESAM functionary said that Council authorities have been apprised on the matter but the latter is yet to confirm when the examination would be rescheduled, SWAK said March 25 has been finalised for the re-examination.

It may be mentioned that Md Ismat put Manipur on the map of educational excellence by topping the all india CBSE-conducted class XII examination held last year.