Corrupting the little ones

The trend of leaking question papers has hit a new low. 

Over the years, question papers of all public exams --- including JSC, SSC and HSC --- medical college and university admission tests, and government banks' recruitment exams have all been leaked at some point.

Now, in a shocking turn of events, question papers of classes II-IV have been leaked in Munshiganj.

Finding evidence of a leak of today's English examination, the district deputy commissioner, following a meeting with respective officials, decided to stop all examinations of classes II-IV in all the 119 primary schools under the upazila.

Earlier, the administration postponed yesterday's Bangla final exam for class II-IV students.

Panchanan Bala, the district primary education officer, confirmed this while talking to The Daily Star last night saying they took instant action.

New dates of the examinations of class II, class III and class IV will be announced later after preparing a new set of questions under the supervision of a magistrate, Panchanan quoted the deputy commissioner as saying.

On Monday night, a number of parents complained to Deputy Commissioner Saila Farzana about the leak and sent emails attaching the leaked question papers.

The DC told reporters yesterday that after getting the complaints and emails, she directed the administration and department concerned to postpone thetest in question.

A three-member committee, led by Additional DC Shawkat Alam, has been formed to investigate the matter, she said.

“We are not sure who leaked the question papers. We will inform you about it after completion of the investigation.”

This newspaper tried to contact Directorate of Primary Education Director General Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal over the phone, but he did not pick up the phone.

Meanwhile, police detained eight college students from different areas of Munshiganj in connection with the leak.