English I is a subject that is different from English II. That’s why students have to sit two different exams.

If the two subjects were the same, or almost, as BCSEA would like us believe, why are we taxing our teachers by making them teach two different things that are in essence just one and the same?

This is the question parents and students are asking  in the wake of BCSEA’s decision to not conduct English II exam again.

Authorities owe an honest answer to parents and children. That’s the least they can do, this day, this hour.

The day after Kuensel reported that BCSEA has decided not to conduct re-examination of Engligh II for Class XII, students and their parents have dropped in at our office saying that BCSEA’s this decision is not at all fair. Kuensel has maintained, from day one when it learnt that English II paper had been leaked, that for the sake of fairness and public trust, English II exam should be conducted again.

Conducting the exam again will involve huge cost. We know that. But cost should not be the excuse when lives of thousands of children are at stake. People are shocked how easily the authorities could settle on a decision that is devoid of any sense.

Cabinet has directed BCSEA to revisit its decision. If at all this is true, we welcome this news with great appreciation. Many students are caught in a problem that they did not create but someone pulled them all into.

Authorities concerned should now focus their attention on getting down to who leaked the paper in what circumstances. In the meanwhile, they should not forget that parents and children feel deeply cheated.

What do we have as options then? Not a lot, really, than to conduct English II exams again in a manner that is fair to all.

Let us face it, this is not the first time. Such incidents have happened in the past. But the difference between then and now is that we now seem to have lost our integrity and courage altogether to right the wrong. This is sad, utterly so. The need of the hour is to redeem our promise of free and fair education to all.

To reiterate the point, BCSEA must conduct the English II exam again. Any other way will fall far short of our dreams and promises that is sherig.

A thorough investigation should be launched, take the person responsible to task, and tighten the system to make sure that such incidents do not recur in the future.

If BCSEA stands by the decision it has made, this will be the darkest moment in the sherig saga of this country.

 

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