Authorities must act before it's too late

For years now, we have been witness to leaks of question papers of Secondary (SSC), Higher Secondary (HSC) and admission examinations. Despite outcries and some action by the authorities, we have failed to address this corruption. So, it is does not come as a big surprise when today we hear of question paper leaks of primary school classes. A recent letter by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to the cabinet based on a year-long investigation has rightly called this epidemic of question paper leaks a failure of the state machinery.

The ACC investigation pointed fingers at officers in the education board, BG Press and other government officials for these leaks. They are right in saying that once the question paper is leaked, there is little to be done, and therefore, the onus is on the question preparation authorities to ensure proper monitoring and discipline.

A few recent examples may remind us of the proportions this phenomenon has taken today. This week, authorities had to cancel final exams of grades I and IV in all primary schools in Barguna after parents uploaded the leaked questions on social media demanding that steps be taken. In the same week, in Munshiganj, tests for classes II and IV at 119 schools had to be postponed after the questions were leaked. Last month, we saw the leaks of question papers of Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Junior Dakhil Certificate (JDC) exams via Facebook and Whatsapp.

The ACC has made important recommendations in this regard to the cabinet. To that, we would like to add that the authorities must acknowledge their responsibility in the matter and not blatantly deny what everyone knows. At the same time, parents must be equally wary so that they do not acquiesce to the corruption like many did during the JSC and JDS exams. If education is to be more than a mere degree, then parents must understand that doing so would only teach their children corruption and malpractice. Of course, the prime responsibility is with the education authorities: we can only hope that the ACC investigation prompts them to act soon.