Question leakage, vandalism at Lilong Madrassa : Edn Minister strikes tough stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 06 2020: Education Minister Th Radheshyam has categorically stated that all those individuals who leaked and circulated question paper of MIL (Manipur) of HSLC Examination 2020 yesterday and those people who vandalised Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa exam centre and assaulted teachers would not be let scot-free.

The Education Minister today held a meeting with officials of Education Department and representatives of student bodies at the conference hall of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Manipur, Babupara.

The meeting deliberated on HSLC Examination and Higher Secondary Examination conducted by BSEM and COHSEM respectively.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Radheshyam admitted that the leakage of MIL (Manipuri) question paper is a fact.

The exam should begin at 9 am and the question paper sets should opened at 8.30 am but the question paper was found circulated in social media at 8.31 am, he said.

After registering a case, Cyber Crime Police Station has started due investigation into the question paper leakage.

Moreover, a departmental enquiry would be instituted, said the Education Minister.

Notably, Class XI examination is currently put on hold after question papers of four/five subjects got leaked and circulated in social media.

In addition to a departmental enquiry, police have been investigating the case and there have been reports of arrest.

Terming the violent incident that broke out at Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa last afternoon as very unfortunate, the Education Minister stated the Government would not remain silent to such unruly violence.

"I think an FIR has been already registered.

An enquiry committee would also be constituted to probe into the incident", Radheshyam said.

Similar violent incidents took place at the particular examination centre in the past.

Even as teachers were assaulted, school properties vandalised and vehicles of BSEM officials damaged, there was no sign of intervention from any quarter, he remarked.

Using unfair means in examinations has been going on in the State since many years back.

It would take some time to correct it.

Appreciating the efforts of student bodies towards rooting out the unfair practices, the Education Minister appealed to teachers to be honest.

On the other hand, cases of impersonation of candidates by others in HSLC Exams have been increasing even though candidates caught for impersonation by others are expelled for three years.

11 candidates were expelled for impersonation in 2017 but this figure rose to 16, 45 and 77 in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively, Radheshyam said.

Regarding leakage of question papers, it is being considered to cancel affiliation and recognition of private schools if their teachers are found involved in such leakages.

As for exam centres which are prone to disturbances, these centres may be de-listed or the number of candidates may be reduced, he continued.

To a query about withdrawal of BEd course from DM College of Teachers Education, the Education Minister maintained that due correspondence is being made.

As there was no teacher in the college, some qualified teachers of RMSA were utilised in the college.

Due preparations are being made to table the matter of appointing teachers for DM College of Teachers Education at a Cabinet meeting.

To another query, he said that school students are being informed the guidelines and advices given by the World Health Organisation about COVID-19 during the morning assembly in consultation with the Health Department.

COHSEM Chairman L Mahendra who also present at the press meet said that there was no leakage of Biology question paper of HSE today.

After the exam had started, the first page of the question paper containing a question of two marks was circulated in social media and the matter was duly reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station, Mahendra said.

Education (S) Director Th Kirankumar said that two mobile phones were seized from two students by BSEM officials at Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa yesterday.

There was no appeal or proposal from any quarter to add grace time to the examination hours at the particular exam centre, he added.

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