HSLC exam evaluation scam takes bigger, uglier dimension
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 03 2017:
The scandal involving an examiner allegedly using unethical practices during the evaluation of the HSLC examination 2017 answer sheets has spiraled out of control.
Condemning the actions of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) authorities and the allegations made by Kangleipak Student's Association through the media, the examiners involved in the evaluation of HSLC 2017 answer sheets have decided to cease work immediately today.
On the other hand, KSA has threatened to launch different modes of agitations including a general strike, if the authority concerned does not take up necessary legal actions against alleged party involved in the scandal including the Secretary of BOSEM.
It may be pointed out that evaluation of the answer sheets began from April 25 at CC Higher Secondary School and Johnstone Higher Secondary School and KSA, through the media, accused one examiner at CC Higher Secondary School of using unethical practice during the evaluation process yesterday.
The examiners, condemning the allegation, organised a meeting at CC Higher Secondary School today and collectively decided to cease work until BOSEM authorities clarify on the issue.
More than 350 examinsers participated in the meeting including teachers posted at Johnstone Higher Secondary School.
Speaking to media persons, one of the Maths paper examiners, Ningthemani Oinam, pointed out that most of the examiners are private school teachers and the number of Government school teachers are very low but none of the teachers posted as examiners work under BOSEM.
He expressed disappointment at the allegation made by KSA which, instead of targeting only the alleged teacher, has tarnished the image of all the examiners involved in the evaluation process.
Ningthemani claimed that the alleged teacher was initially caught by BOSEM's Controller of Examinations and asked how the news reached KSA first, when even the top officials of BOSEM and the Head Examiner were unaware of the development.
He demanded both BOSEM and the KSA to clarify regarding the matter adding that the examiners would stop evaluation of the answer sheets until then.
It may be mentioned that KSA had accused one Maths paper examiner, Tekcham Amubi of Peace and Freedom Academy, Thoubal, of allegedly trying to replace some pages from an answer sheets with new ones.
The answer sheets used in the HSLC examination are usually sewn together on the left side by a sewing machine using threads.
BOSEM Secretary Dr Chingangbam Sarat and Controller of Exams Laishram Phulchand also arrived during the meeting.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Ch Sarat clarified that they were unaware of the news and found out only after the KSA informed them of the same.
He said that they tried to contact the teacher as soon as they got the news but the teacher had switched off his phone.
The Secretary pointed out that he was able to communicate with the teacher today and it was revealed that Amubi had brought a paper containing the handwriting of 16 of his tution students and analysed the answer sheets for possible matches.
Sarat said that an official Committee would be constitued to investigate the matter and an official notice would be released at the earliest.
He further appealed to the examiners to resume work taking into account the future of the students who appeared the HSLC exam.
Speaking at the meeting, Controller of Exams, L Phulchand claimed that he went to CC Higher Secondary School at around 9.30 am yesterday and found Amubi alone and acting suspiciously in the evaluation room .
He said that he seized some papers from the teacher's possession and due to the absence of the Head Examiner, had informed the assistant head examiner about the incident.
The examiners present at the meeting expressed disappointment with the statements of the two officials and asked why they informed KSA first instead of reporting the higher authorities and demanded both BOSEM and the KSA to clarify at the earliest.
On the other hand, KSA has threatened to launch a 24 hour public curfew in the surrounding areas of all educational institutes in the State from the midnight of May 5 if the authority concerned fail to take up necessary action against the involved parties including the Secretary of BOSEM by 3 pm of May 5.Speaking to media persons at the KSA office at Sega Road, Konjeng Hazari Leikai, general secretary Sukham Bidyananda said that if the authority concerned fail to take up tangible actions even after the public curfew, then KSA would launch a 24 hour general strike from the midnight of May 7 .
He stated that KSA strongly condemns the resolutions taken at the meeting organised by the examiners along with the Secretary of BOSEM today.
He claimed that KSA made the people aware of the corruption at BOSEM and even the failure to distribute the incentives for meritorious awards last Decem-1 ber.
He pointed out that KSA had complained to the Chief Minister and the Education Minister on April 25 and also began keeping a close watch over the antics of BOSEM.
Bigyananda clarified that KSA respects teachers and also have, high regards for many of the teachers posted at CC Higher Secondary School for the paper evaluation.
He said that the authority concerned should take up necessary actions against the involved parties adding that Principals of private schools should also take up stringent actions if their teachers are involved.
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