Discontinuing multiple sets of question papers proved costly: CBSE ex-chairman

LUCKNOW: Former CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly on Friday said had the examination body continued to use multiple sets of question papers, it could have saved itself from holding pan-India re-examination.

“The situation would not have gone out of the hand had the old system been in place. This would have also helped in locating the place where unscrupulous elements were at work,” he said. According to Ganguly, the faith in infallibility of the system could have led to the paper leak. “Complacency and negligence may have crept into the system,” he added.

Ganguly said CBSE was the pioneer in introducing multiple sets of question papers in Board examination and a number of examination bodies followed it. “Some state boards are still following the practice but CBSE discontinued it,” he said. So, what is the way forward? “We need to revisit the system, particularly the sealing and opening of question paper envelopes. We should review the distribution and storage of question papers,” he said.

Ganguly said the online system was not feasible given the geographical expanse that CBSE had to cover.

“We need to have checks and balances at every stage of the examination process. We should not allot new examination centres and new storage points without proper verification,” he said.

LUCKNOW: The paper leak of CBSE’s Class 12 economics and Class 10 maths examinations has put a question mark on the examination body and has resulted in a political slugfest and protests by students.

In an interview with Rajeev Mullick, former chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Ashok Ganguly said had the Board continued with the use of multiple set of question papers, pan-India re-examination could have been averted. Excerpts:

What is the way forward to put an end to present crisis?

We need to revisit the system, particularly the appropriate sealing of question paper envelopes and its opening by a committee half-anhour before the examination. This committee must include CBSE observer and one person from other school. We need to re-examine the distribution and storage of question papers.

Do you believe officials could have reduced the severity of the fallout had they continued with multiple sets of question papers?

CBSE has pioneered in multiple set of question papers in Board examination. Some state examination bodies have followed it. Some state boards are still practising it but the CBSE has discontinued it. Had the system been still in place, pan-India re-examination could have been averted. It would have also helped in locating the place where the mischief had been done.

What could have led to the leakage?

Trust in the infallibility of the system could have led to this unfortunate incident. The reasons could be complacency and negligence that may have crept into the system. There is also a saying that nothing fails like success. CBSE has the reputation of conducting board examination impeccably well for many decades.

What measures can CBSE adopt to check recurrence of such incidents?

The CBSE will have to decide whether they need to continue with the present offline system or change it. The online system does not seem to be feasible in the present context keeping in view the geographical expanse that the Board has to cover. In fact, this system will further complicate the situation.

We need to have checks and balances at every stage of the examination process, particularly proper sealing and opening of envelopes and storage of question papers. We have to be careful while allotting new examination centre and new storage point unless and until the credentials are checked and verified.

Why no action was taken against any senior official?

Action can only be taken once the probe is over. CBSE is able to conduct Board examination of such magnitude as it is a team effort. Such things happen when there is a lack of synchronisation among team members.

Do paper leaks increase anxiety level of students?

Paper leak definitely increases anxiety as they have to appear in the examination again with no fault of theirs. The academic readiness and psychological preparedness of students during examination time already increases their stress level. Such incidents make them anxious. We need to tell students to stay calm while reappearing for the examination. The Board has no option but to conduct re-examination to maintain the reliability and credibility of the examination.

Do you think class 12 students will struggle with admissions as reexamination will delay the result and admission process at graduation level?

The fear is not true. The process may delay the results by a few days but it will not have much impact on the admission process.