Lakhs of students and parents are an anxious lot as the Chemistry II pre-university exam is being scheduled for the third time on Tuesday. Leakage of question paper twice this academic year has meant great distress for students and a huge embarrassment for the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE).
The department has come under severe criticism after two question paper leakages. The Criminal Investigation Department which is probing the case have arrested five persons in connection with the paper leak.
This has changed the study schedule of 1.74 lakh students who were supposed to have completed their second pre-university exams in the last week of March according to the original calendar of events. Many students have complained that the new calendar of events will give them little time to prepare for competitive exams.
Many students are keeping their fingers crossed and hope that there will be no glitches in the exam on Monday. A second pre-university student who was preparing for the exam on Monday said, “I am really exhausted and it is demoralising to study the same portions for the third time. It doesn't feel like a board exam anymore.”
To ensure that the examination is conducted on Tuesday, the department has printed multiple question papers for the Chemistry exam. All the question papers are expected to reach the district treasuries by the end of the day. Police personnel have been deployed in the district treasuries.
A three member team of IAS officers along with the Director of DPUE along with the Principal Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education are monitoring the situation closely. Deputy Commissioners of each district will be sent an SMS about which question paper bundle needs to be dispatched to the examination centres on Tuesday.
Delay in results
Meanwhile, the DPUE which is under intense pressure has faced another hurdle as the principals and lecturer's association have boycotted evaluation of second pre-university answer scripts since April 5. The lecturers and principals are demanding hike in their basic salaries. The boycott of evaluation is likely to add to the stress of the students as there will be a delay in announcement of results.
Precautionary measures taken for the Chemistry re-exam on Tuesday |
Paper setters who have set question papers for the Chemistry re-exam have been kept at an undisclosed location that is guarded by the police. |
The question paper bundles will not go to the taluk treasuries and will be kept only at the district treasuries. From here they will go directly to the exam centres. |
Forty officials of the Department of Pre-University Education have been suspended after the second paper leak. |
All deputy commissioners have been asked to install CCTV camera at the district treasuries and also videograph the process of loading and unloading question papers to and from the district treasuries. |
None of the staff involved in question paper distribution will be allowed to use mobile phones. |
How the PU fiasco unfolded
March 21
Second pre university students write the Chemistry examination. Department of Pre-University Education announces that the examination stands cancelled as a student tipped off the Director of DPUE that the paper was being circulated prior to the exam.
March 31
The re-exam for the second PU Chemistry paper is also cancelled hours before the exam after they find out that the paper is leaked.
April 12
1.74 lakh students to appear for the Chemistry re-exam