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Matric exams may be delayed

CUTTACK: Last year’s matriculation mark scandal issue involving son of a former minister has taken its toll on lakhs of examinees, who are waiting to sit for this year’s examination. The exams that are of late being held in February or March are unlikely to begin as scheduled this year.

Hit by the scandal, subsequent strike by employees and arrest of key officials, the State Board of Secondary Education (BSE) is running one month behind schedule. More so, the newly appointed officials to oversee the final school leaving examination are facing a lot of challenges as the tests this time would be conducted under a new set up.

“Instead of usual 750 marks, the matriculation examination in the State this time would be held for 800 marks for the first time under a new syllabus. Optional papers, which were stopped for over a decade now, have been reintroduced again this year. Besides, at least four of the optional papers have practical examinations. All these new provisos demand a lot of exercise and paper works,” said BSE secretary P K Samal. He admitted that the preparations for the examinations were running behind schedule.

It’s not alone the scandal that has delayed the process. But some new provisions, introduced for the first time to make the exam free and fair , is taking a lot of time, Samal felt. With a view to weeding out bogus candidates from the examinations, the BSE is introducing ‘enrolment cards’ for the class X students. “The enrolment cards which would have photographs of the students pasted on it along with the name and address of their parents would help identify the bona fide students during the time of examination”, the BSE secretary said.

Samal said the application forms for the examinations which are now being filled up in different schools have also certain new provisions introduced for the first time. “The father or legal guardian of the student is giving a declaration in the application form assuring to extend full cooperation and support to the BSE for the smooth conduct of the examination,” the secretary said.

Samal, however, asserted that the BSE with all the constraints is making a sincere effort to conduct the examination as per schedule in the month of March. “In worst case it may be delayed for a week or so. But we would soon announce the programme”, he said.

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