‘We are doing our best but when everyone is crying wolf, it becomes difficult to catch the wolf’

As Secretary (school education), at the Human Resource Development ministry, Anil Swarup has been in the eye of the storm over the leaks of the Class 12 economics and the Class 10 math question papers. In a wide ranging interview, he spoke about why the Class 10 math test was held despite enough indicators that the paper had leaked, the logic behind deciding to hold the retest for the math exam only in Delhi, Haryana and the National Capital Region, and that too only if it is considered necessary to do so, and security measures being put in place so that the episode is not repeated.

Why did the Central Board of Secondary Education take so long to react despite enough indicators that there had been a leak?

There were several leakages underway, on YouTube etc...; there were several copies (of papers) being circulated. So when everyone is crying wolf, to catch the wolf becomes difficult. Each leak and complaint has (been) and will be examined.

In almost all the cases, except (Class 10) mathemattion ics and (Class 12) economics, we have found that the so-called leaked paper did not conform to the actual paper. When messages about mathematics and economics came, obviously these two also had to be examined. These messages were received at 1am in the night. Who sees official emails at 1 am in the night? She (CBSE chairperson Anita Karwal ) saw that email at 8.55 am, which can be verified. After this, as in the other cases, she referred it to the controller to see whether it (the leak) conforms (to the actual paper), which took time. By that time, it was already 10am and a decision had to be taken whether to hold the exam while the children were already in the hall. It would have created confusion and hence a decision was taken not to call it off. In hindsight, it was a right decision because in that paper

examina- will not be held in other parts of the country. Imagine a scenario had we taken a decision to call it off; then everyone would have had to take that examination.

Why are retests for Class 10 being conducted only in Delhi and NCR?

We took the view that there is no evidence to indicate the leak happened outside of Delhi and Haryana. Now some people are saying it was done in Jharkhand; this sort of information has started flowing in afterwards. Now, should I put a child to inconvenience is the question. Even for Delhi and Haryana, we still feel the fact of leak is established, but whether it impacted the outcome or not is still being examined. There could be a possibility that we may not have an exam (for Class 10). However, I cannot give a definitive answer.

What are the measures that are being taken to ensure such incidents are not repeated?

One of the positives is that we will get to know the shortcomings of the system and it will enable us to go in-depth to know what are the processes going wrong. Secondly, how can we use technology to plug these loopholes? Just to illustrate the course of thinking – we can consider sending an encrypted CD to schools and give the decrypted code on the day of the exam and then they print the paper locally. We are trying to work towards that. But this is just an example and there could be many other similar ways we could use. In the physical process, tracking leakage becomes difficult. But if anyone messes with the computer or digital information, it gets recorded and we can get it tracked. But there would be some logistic issues that need to be addressed in advance - for example the centre should be equipped to print out those question papers in the time that is available.

Why has no action been taken against CBSE chairperson?

Without an enquiry, taking action demoralises everyone. No one shall be spared. But to prematurely point a finger and say someone is responsible does not help . We are trying to set things right but it should not lead to a witchhunt .

What about taking action against those who are responsible?

There is a clamour for individuals. Yes, if someone is responsible, the person should be sacked and action should be taken against the person, once the enquiry is complete. But merely taking action against individuals doesn’t really help. What really helps our system is when things got sorted out.

Is any helpline being set up by CBSE to help students ?

CBSE is setting up a help centre to interact with the students. I am personally responding to many who are approaching me. I understand their angst. If I were in their position I would also feel bad. I can only say we are trying our best but I sympathise with the children.

One of the positives is that we will get to know the shortcomings of the system and we can go indepth to know what processes going wrong.