Question paper leakage: A matter of grave concern
Monday, 5 February 2018
THIS refers to two news items headlined "No tests on leaked questions" on February 2, 2018 and "SSC Bangla 2nd paper questions leak" on February 4, 2018 in the Financial Express. Although Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and other high-ups in the ministry have already refuted the allegations, the reason behind such allegations should be investigated into and the government should exercise a policy of zero tolerance in this respect. Had the government been serious about leakage of question papers of public exams from the beginning, it would not have assumed such ominous proportions as of today. Another problem that has now escalated down to primary level is that of copying or adapting unfair means in exams. It is reported that this happens due mostly to indifference of the invigilators in exam halls and lack of monitoring by higher authorities.
The government should have to give a clear message to the teachers that it will not compromise on the question of unfair means and both the students involved in copying and the teachers overlooking it, shall be taken into task. It is the quality of education that matters and it can not be achieved through unfair means. Similarly, the government should take a firm stand on incidents of question paper leakages to ensure transparency of the education system. It is needless to mention that in such cases, laws should be framed with provisions of heavier punishment for the offenders.
I remember when we were at school or college, many students who were found copying or adapting unfair means in exams were expelled by the invigilating teachers. It is a rarity now in our public examinations and so the crime of copying continues unabated. Moreover, it is reported that when a magistrate enters an examination hall, teachers on duty give signals to the students to inform them of the magistrates' entry and copying is temporarily stopped. This means that some teachers are directly patronising the students to adopt unfair means.
In this situation, we humbly request our government to find out the reasons behind incidents of question paper leakages and extensive copying in exams and bring people responsible under justice.
Md. Zillur Rahman
Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.
Lalmohan Branch, Bhola.
[email protected]