The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Patna region, has cancelled the Hindi and Sanskrit papers of Class 10 examinations scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, following reports of question paper leaks.
KVS-Patna region has also rescheduled the entire examination schedule of the Class 10 school-based examination, also known as Summative Assessment-2 (SA-2), in a move that exposes the chinks in Bihar's education system and follows reports of mass cheating in Class 10 board exams in the state.
The SA-2 examinations of schools under KVS had begun on March 12 and were to be concluded on March 26 as per the earlier timetable.
The decision affects more than 30 KVs across the state under the Patna region that conduct the Class 10 examinations. However, the CBSE board-based examinations, which are conducted by a central body, and would conclude on March 26 will remain unaffected.
"It was reported that the question papers of SA-2 examination of Class 10 (school-based) were leaked before the commencement of the examination. Keeping in view the sanctity of the examination, its transparency, future of the children and credibility of KV, it was decided in a meeting on March 24, that the Class 10 SA-2 examinations of all subjects will be re-conducted as per their new schedule," said a notification issued by MS Chauhan, KVS-Patna region deputy commissioner.
{{/usCountry}}"It was reported that the question papers of SA-2 examination of Class 10 (school-based) were leaked before the commencement of the examination. Keeping in view the sanctity of the examination, its transparency, future of the children and credibility of KV, it was decided in a meeting on March 24, that the Class 10 SA-2 examinations of all subjects will be re-conducted as per their new schedule," said a notification issued by MS Chauhan, KVS-Patna region deputy commissioner.
{{/usCountry}}"Moreover, the Hindi and Sanskrit examinations, scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday, stand cancelled," it added.
Sources said the question papers of two subjects were being sold at a shop in the state capital.
"We got information that the papers had been leaked. We immediately held a meeting and decided to reschedule all Class 10 SA-2 examinations," Chauhan told HT.
He said a committee was constituted to look into the matter and determine the source of the leak.
"Anyone found guilty of leaking the question papers and thereby compromising the sanctity of the examinations would be liable for strict actions," said Chauhan.
The freedom to conduct SA-2 at the end of an academic year rests entirely on schools. Many schools in Bihar and Jharkhand also follow a common timetable brought out by Patliputra Sahodaya School Complex (PSSC), which has voluntary membership of over 300 schools in the two states.
The new KV examination schedule: Sanskrit (March 27), Hindi (March 30), Social science (April 1), Mathematics (April 6), Science and technology (April 8), English (April 10)