SEBA Issues New Directives for Officers Handling Exam Question Papers

Digital Desk: In the aftermath of the question paper leak controversy, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) issued instructions on Friday for conducting the rescheduled science and language papers.

This comes after the question papers of the General Science and Assamese language were leaked before the exams of Higher Secondary Leaving Certificate (HSLC) in Assam, culminating in SEBA opting to cancel the exams and reschedule them.

Based on the most recent SEBA instructions, the question paper packages must be received by the station in-charges of the respective police stations. 

As stated in the latest SEBA notification, the supervisor of the exam centre will be required to open the packages under the supervision of CCTV cameras at the exam centres.

Furthermore, returning SEBA officials will now be mandated to bring unused exam papers, answer sheets, and other documentation, according to the notification.

It should be noted that the cancelled General Science exam has been rescheduled for March 30, while the exam for all MIL/English (IL) subjects has been rescheduled for April 1. 

Earlier this month during the ongoing HSLC Class 10 examinations in Assam, the General Science question paper got leaked resulting in SEBA having to cancel the exam. The state government, particularly education minister Ranoj Pegu, has come under fire from both the opposition and students who have complained about harassment.

Recently, the investigation into the document leak case was assigned to the CID branch of Assam Police. The CID’s investigation led to several arrests in connection with the matter as it unearthed a major nexus spread across the state. 

Later, during the questioning, one of the main accused told officials about the potential of the Assamese language question paper leaking as well. As a result, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed SEBA to cancel the exam and reschedule it.