Students being made to sing and dance during a Class XII Physics viva may sound absurd but that’s exactly what happened to some students of Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri, on Friday.
The CBSE-appointed examiner did not stop at that. He even asked the shocked and surprised students questions on India’s captain for the T-20 World Cup, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The matter came to light when the first few batches of students who gave the viva complained to the school principal, Abha Sahgal, about the singing, dancing and “irrelevant” questions.
Ms Sahgal, the school authorities said while confirming the incident, immediately intervened. The intervention had the desired effect and the rest of the students were not subjected to the absurdity.
The school later reported the matter to the CBSE, responsible for conducting the exams. According to CBSE officials, the examiner has been withdrawn from the school for the rest of the practical exams.
“We received a complaint from Sanskriti School on Friday about some issues with the examiner during the Physics viva. On the basis of their complaint, we have withdrawn the examiner from the school for the rest of the practical examinations,” a senior official from CBSE said.
The viva became an instant topic of discussion among students on a closed social media group.
“Be ready to sing and dance in your Chemistry viva tomorrow. Most of my viva today was about how Dhoni became the captain of the Indian cricket team", one student wrote.
“Our viva started with some questions related to physics and then it went on to singing and dancing. The examiner made us sing", said another.
Yet another posted: “The examiner was a funny man. He asked what my favourite sport is and if can sing."
Angry parents of the students also complained to the school. “The school authorities assured us that the matter has been brought to the knowledge of CBSE. It is completely unacceptable that our children are made to do irrelevant things at the practical examination,” said one of the parents.
Practical examinations for Class XII students are currently underway, with written examinations to follow next month.
