Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 22: In the wake of the recent SSLC preparatory examination question paper leak, the Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy has announced revised timings and enforced stringent measures to prevent recurrence of such violations during the upcoming second and third preparatory exams.
According to the department, the second SSLC preparatory examinations will be conducted from January 27 to February 2. While the exams were earlier scheduled to begin at 10 am, they will now start at 11 am. Students have been instructed to attend regular classes from 9 am and remain in their classrooms until the commencement of the examination.
As per the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), question papers will be made available for download through the school login only at 9.30 am, instead of the earlier 7 am. Head teachers must complete printing by 10 am based on student strength, pack the papers between 10 am and 10.30 am, and ensure they reach the examination halls no earlier than 10.50 am.
To further tighten security, teachers and students have been strictly prohibited from carrying mobile phones during the examination period. If brought, mobile phones must be handed over to the designated supervisory officer until the exam concludes.
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB), which faced embarrassment after the first preparatory exam papers were leaked on social media, said the new measures aim to ensure that students do not gain access to question papers before the exam begins. During the earlier exams, question papers released at 7 am were allegedly downloaded and circulated online by some head teachers even before the exam started, leading to complaints and arrests.
Officials warned that in case of any question paper leak, the head teacher, nodal teacher, field education officer and the district deputy director of public instruction of the concerned school will be held accountable. Separate FIRs will be registered for each incident, and criminal as well as departmental action will be initiated under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules.
The SOP also states that any malpractice such as leaking question papers from exam centres, copying during exams, photographing question papers, circulating them through WhatsApp or social media platforms, or supplying chits will invite criminal cases. Students found sharing question papers on platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube or Instagram will also face legal action.
The department has further warned that unaided schools failing to maintain confidentiality will face permanent cancellation of recognition. In the case of aided schools, recognition may be withdrawn and grants discontinued as per rules.
Officials said the SOP has been framed to ensure that lapses witnessed during the first preparatory exam are not repeated in the second and third preparatory exams. All officers and schools have been directed to strictly implement the guidelines without any deviation.