Photos of the English midterm question paper, which class 10 students sat for on Tuesday, were circulating on various social messaging platforms. The exam, however, was not cancelled in spite of the paper leakage.
Students realised that images of the leaked images were authentic when they sat for the exam and saw the same questions.
D. Shashikumar, general secretary of the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, said, “We thought it was a rumour and decided to wait and watch. But, when we saw the original paper, the questions were same.”
This has taken place despite categorical instructions from the Department of Public Instruction that only teachers in schools were supposed to set question papers. They had banned the teachers’ association from setting the question papers.
Several school managements, however, conceded that they chose to buy papers from the association as it saves them time. A headmaster, however, alleged that the teachers’ association lobby compelled them to buy the papers. “We understand that this a meaningless exercise. But we have no other option,” he said. Association authorities were not available for comment.
A senior official with the department said they would inquire into the matter. “But since this a midterm test, we will not make the students appear for the exam again,” an official said, and added they would ask block education officers to furnish the list of schools that were buying question papers from the association.
