Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Talks on SSLC exams abortive

Special Correspondent

Pro-Left student unions walk out of a conference called by Education Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Talks with students' organisations on the conduct of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations, convened by Minister for Education E.T. Mohammed Basheer here on Monday, were abortive.

Pro-Left students unions, who are agitating over the alleged neglect in handling of question papers, walked out of the conference. They alleged that the talks were eyewash.

The Minister, however, said that student leaders had assured full cooperation in the conduct of the examination. A section of the students had demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the conduct of this year's examination. This could not be conceded, as the demand was not relevant.

All preparations for the conduct of the examinations, he said, are progressing smoothly. The Opposition should desist from campaigns that cast unnecessary doubts.

The pro-Left students unions maintained that a thorough inquiry was called for into the manner of handling of the question papers.

`People's trial'

Meanwhile, the SFI will organise `people's trials' in all district headquarters on March 16. The Education Minister, the DPI and Congress leader M. I. Shanavaz will be `tried,' SFI State secretary M. Swaraj said on Monday.

He was addressing a press conference here.

Mr. Swaraj said the Government did not want a comprehensive inquiry into the question paper issue, as such a probe would reveal that the Government itself was at fault on this matter. The laxity in handling the question papers continued.

He said the question paper bound for a high school at Kasaragod ended up at Thalassery, the answer booklets for a school at Kazhakkootam, Thiruvananthapuram, was found in a nearby bakery and the question paper packets bound for 15 schools in Kollam district were missing.

At least, the Government should now order a comprehensive inquiry to ensure that the question papers had not leaked, Mr. Swaraj said.

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