The School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination has never really been known for being completely free and fair but this year’s examination, which began on March 25, might easily go down as the worst if we are to go by reports pouring in from the districts, particularly the Tarai, about gross irregularities that have been taking place in the centers. Termed as the Iron Gate for its extremely low pass percentage, the examination is turning out to be a cakewalk for many who have been cheating right under the noses of the invigilators.
In Saptari district, a total of 111 proxy examinees surrendered before the police on Monday and Tuesday when the latter visited the centers for inspection. At some places, question paper of Mathematics were on sale for Rs 50 to Rs 100 immediately after the exam began enabling irresponsible guardians to prepare cheats and pass it on to the candidates. There have been reports from other places on how invigilators helped students to cheat openly. Examinees in Bara district even manhandled reporters blaming them for not being able to cheat. In Siraha district, examinees clashed with police and they had to fire tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. There have been photographs published in daily newspapers showing candidates cheating openly but conclusive photographs and reports do not seem to have woken up the Office of the Controller of Examinations, which had ironically committed to strictly monitor this year’s exam.
This state of affairs is totally unfair to those students who have burnt midnight lamps throughout the year hoping to come out with flying colors. Tomorrow, even when they shine in the exam, among other things, they run the risk of being clubbed alongside candidates who make it through sheer cheating. Additionally, what kind of message are we sending to the society at large by letting this happen so openly?
While the ongoing irregularities is just a reflection of the lawlessness that has gripped Nepal, at least that cannot be an excuse when impressionable minds are involved who we hope will someday go on to shoulder important responsibilities. We urge the authorities concerned to opt for reexamination at places where gross irregularities have been reported, punish those who have been proven guilty and do everything to stop such shamelessness from repeating when students appear for next year’s examination.
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