CBSE Paper Leak: Are All Students Really Against The Re-Examination?

Ruchika Verma

• CBSE paper leak has been criticised by everyone
• Government is taking the matter lightly, not acknowledging the 10th class Mathematics' paper leak which took place outside of Delhi-NCR as well
• Students all over the country are in want of justice and a Mathematics re-examination

CBSE Paper leak is one of the biggest controversies in the history of Indian Education System so far. Every student has this extreme pressure of performing well in their board examinations, which are no less than a taboo, for many. The pressure to perform well and get a good score can often get overwhelming for students. They work hard to score well.

However, many do try to take shortcuts as well. The recent CBSE paper leak is an example of just that. The 12th class' Economics' and 10th class' Mathematics' board's question papers were leaked before the exams were to be conducted all over India. The matter was much hyped and rightly so. No one should be allowed to toy with the future of hardworking students.

The CBSE paper leak is one of the biggest failures of the system. The proposed solution to the monumental damage by CBSE was the conduction of retest. The 12th class Economics' exam will be held again on 25th April 2018. However, the retest for class 10th Mathematics examination has been cancelled on the grounds that the paper was not leaked all over India and retest shall only be conducted in Delhi and Haryana, that too after "investigation points to a larger leak," as the HRD minister, Prakash Javdekar points out.

However, what makes the government and CBSE think that the paper was not leaked outside of Delhi and NCR?

Mainstream media is only showing protests against the retest. However, they are ignoring a large section of students from all over India who actually want a retest.

These students claim that the paper was leaked all over India. It was not only Delhi or NCR but the whole nation which saw the leaked Mathematics paper well before the examination actually took place.

Soumya, a 10th class student from the Bokaro Steel City of Jharkhand, says that the leaked question papers were being sold to students by the local cyber cafes quite openly.

Kartik from Jaipur also shared videos which shows the leak question paper along with answers being uploaded on YouTube 10 days before the exam took place which was on 28th March 2018. The account which uploaded the video has been deactivated, however, the proof was provided by Kartik which clearly states the date and time at which the video was uploaded. The video had approximately 4.7k views.

Anything on the internet is accessible to all. Then, why CBSE is taking a stand that the paper was not leaked outside of Delhi too?

This is clearly an injustice to all the students all over India.

Soumya says, "Paper leaked helped a few but not all, it only helped an average student to be a topper and replace the rightful, I am against CBSE's decision of not conducting the re-exam."

Students from states like Jharkhand, Jaipur, Mumbai claim that the papers were available to them and their friends as well. They did not choose to use them, maintaining their honesty and integrity but they were indeed available and CBSE just cannot and should not ignore this fact.

This paper leak and the reluctance to accept its intensity clearly shows CBSE's and government's inability to secure what needs to be secured and take responsibility. They are just trying to reduce the shame and lessen the blame. It can also be their strategy to save themselves from the headache of conducting a re-exam but is it fair?

Is it fair to the students who worked hard?

As Kartik puts it, "Only those who got leaked paper are against the retest and each and every topper will surely have at least tension that their rank will get affected by this leak. No topper is against the retest, only those who leaked and used the leaked papers are against the retest."

Ayush from Jharkhand says, "Restest must be conducted across the whole country. Paper was leaked in Jharkhand also. CBSE is a central board and not just Delhi Board."

Nitish Maurya from Mumbai questions the government and their intentions behin+d not conducting the re-examination. Who are they really trying to save by not giving the leak the importance it actually deserves?

Also Read: CBSE leak: Police detain coaching centre owner, businessman

Students are also protesting against the government and mainstream media which refuses to highlight their plight. CBSE paper leak is not only a matter of shame but also a matter of concern. Government just sweeping it under the rug is not only unfair but also highly unethical.

"If we won't stop these leakers now, they will cause a great side effect at the time of our competition exams like NEET, etc." Says, Katik, raising serious concerns about the future of Indian education.

Concerns were also raised about students who will get away with cheating this time and may repeat the similar behaviour again, where will this lead our country to in future?

Students are protesting heavily against the decision of CBSE to not conduct a re-examination.

CBSE paper leak clearly shows the shortcomings of Indian education system. What's more disheartening than the paper leak is the denial of justice to several students all over India. It is now high time, the government gets its priorities straight. Students are the future of this country, and any injustice to them simply should not be tolerated!

The story has been compiled by Ruchika Verma of NewsGram.