UP Science, Physics board exams cancelled after multiple paper leaks
Hit by multiple paper leaks, the UP school examination board has now cancelled the Class 10 Science exam in Maharajganj and Physics-I and II in Chandauli. Earlier, the Class 10 English and Mathematics papers were also leaked. This, despite the board saying it had taken stricter anti-cheating measures this time. Over 10L have skilled the exams reportedly due to these measures.
This is reportedly the fifth leak in the 2018 exam
Initial reports about paper leaks in this year's board exams came around February 9, when a bundle of Class 10 English question papers were found unsealed at a Hardoi school. On February 13, bundles of Mathematics papers were opened at a Mathura school before the exam. In the next week, question papers of Class 12 Physics-I and Physics-II were leaked on social media in Chandauli.
FIRs lodged, several officials questioned, at least three persons arrested
In most cases, members of the school management were questioned. More than 100 exam centers were affected overall. For some subjects, the board had to change the question paper at various centers. Earlier this week, police busted a gang involved in the leaks in Varanasi. Three persons, including a teacher, a school manager and a coaching class operator were arrested.
After several leaks, affected exams have now been postponed
The latest leak allegedly happened at the Devlali Kanya College. Photocopies were being sold at Rs. 500. An FIR has been lodged against the center superintendent and invigilators. This is the first time this year exams have been cancelled due to paper leaks. While the Class 10 Science exam was postponed in Maharajganj, Class 12 Physics exams were cancelled in Chandauli.
Over 10L students skip the first four days of exams
The UP exams have gained attention for bizarre reasons this time: over 10L students, or 15% of the registered candidates, skipped the board exams in the first four days. Officials attributed the first-of-a-kind development to stricter anti-cheating measures. Last year, students were seen openly consulting books and exchanging notes during exams. The copying mafia entered exam halls forcibly to hand over chits to students.
Strict anti-copying measures employed this time, officials claim
Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma, secondary education minister, said the administration has now "studied all possible ways and means of (cheating)." CCTV cameras have been mandated at exam centers, which have come down from over 12,000 to 8,500. Other measures include frisking students, appointing administrative officers as sector magistrates, and issuing prohibitory orders near centers. Even STF and local intelligence have been roped in.
