• Assam Education minister assures fairness, marks will be given for out-of-syllabus questions

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    Assam Education minister assures fairness, marks will be given for out-of-syllabus questions
    Digital desk: In the discussions over out-of-syllabus questions in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Mathematics paper, Assam's Education Minister, Ranoj Pegu, has assured students and parents that fairness will prevail. Responding to allegations raised by a section of students and parents regarding questions numbered 46 and 61, Pegu emphasized that students would not be penalized for encountering questions beyond the syllabus.

    "We are examining the matter. SEBA has been directed to allocate marks for any question deemed out-of-syllabus," Pegu announced during a press briefing in Guwahati on Friday. The controversy revolves around the inclusion of questions outside the Board of Secondary Education Assam (SEBA) syllabus, both carrying a significant 25 marks each.

    Students have voiced their concerns, questioning whether the authorities faced a shortage of SEBA syllabus-based questions, necessitating the incorporation of questions from external sources. This inquiry reflects the broader sentiment among students and parents regarding the integrity and adequacy of the examination process.

    The reassurance from the Education Minister seeks to address apprehensions and uphold the principles of fairness in the evaluation process. Pegu's directive to SEBA underscores the commitment to ensuring that students are not unduly penalized for encountering unforeseen challenges during their examinations.
    “Finally, we have changed the pattern of questions to help them to compete in All India competitive exams, including exams conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC),” Pegu also said. 

    He also added, “We are changing the question paper pattern with the National Education Policy (NEP).”