Question Leak: Unstoppable?

Like people have breakfast before going to work, a number of examinees are now getting question papers before they enter exam halls.

Question papers of all the SSC tests held so far have been leaked. So was yesterday's.

The multiple choice questions (MCQs) of Bangladesh and Global Studies were found on several Facebook and Whatsapp groups around an hour before the exam began.

This correspondent saw images of “Kha” set of the MCQs along with the answers in a Facebook group around 9:00am. They were found to be identical to those distributed among students at exam halls.

With all the government steps to stop the leak spree turning out to be futile, the High Court on Thursday formed two committees -- one judicial and another administrative -- to find out those responsible and make recommendations for preventing the menace.

The committees with five members each have to start work within a week upon receipt of certified copies of the HC order. They will submit reports to the court in 30 days after launching the probe.

Prof M Kaykobad of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), who is heading the administrative committee, told The Daily Star yesterday that they were yet to receive the copy of the HC order.

“We will call for meetings and discuss methods of preventing the leak after getting the copy of the High Court order,” he added.

“We don't know from where the questions are being leaked. The persons concerned at the education ministry and education boards should know it better.”

“After investigation,” Prof Kaykobad added, “we will recommend fixing the vulnerable stages of question paper supply.”

Dhaka District and Sessions Judge SM Kuddus Zaman, who is heading the judicial committee, said he didn't get the copy of the HC order.

“We will start probing the matter as soon as we get the copy. We will try our best to make the probe a success,” he told this newspaper.

Meanwhile, a team of Rapid Action Battalion conducted a drive in Khulna and detained nine teenagers around 8:00am yesterday on the allegation of selling leaked questions.

However, the leak continues and frustration grips many of the students and guardians.

“The government took some steps to stop the leak, but all went in vain. Now if any decision is taken to cancel the exams, it will be a real frustration for us,” an examinee told this correspondent after the test yesterday.

The leak will affect the results, the students fear, saying it will have an impact on college admission which is based on SSC results.

This is the largest-ever reported spate of SSC question leak that has drawn fierce criticisms with educationist and guardians fearing the education system would be ruined if this disturbing trend continues.

“Question leak has been going on for the last few years. What will be the future of the country if the students keep following this immoral means,” a guardian said.