Karnataka Education Board caught off-guard by second consecutive question paper leak in preparatory SSLC exams

Back-to-back incidents of question paper leak during the SSLC preparatory exams conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB) have raised serious concerns.

Coming at the start of the examination season beginning in March, especially the Class 10 exams, the incidents mock at the preparedness of the education department.

On Wednesday, the English (second language) question paper was out on social media platforms by 6 am, well ahead of the start of the exam scheduled to begin at 9.30 am. According to school
management representatives, the question paper was leaked at Bengaluru, Kolar and Ballari.

Shockingly, on Tuesday too, the Mathematics paper was leaked and the board had filed a complaint with the Malleswaram police.

“Question paper leaks have posed a serious threat to the main exam season. Unlike the previous years, this time, the state board has been conducting the preparatory examination and has put in place measures that it will adopt during the actual exam,” said D Shashikumar, general secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS).

When contacted, KSEEB director V Sumangala said, “Preparatory exams are meant for practice. Students and parents need not worry about the paper leak. The board has already filed a complaint with the police and necessary measures have been taken to prevent such malpractices.”

A few students even told KSEEB director Sumangala that the Hindi question paper was also leaked and was out in the market.

Sumangala reportedly called students to gather more information. The video clip of the interaction, accessed by DH, shows students saying, “The question paper was circulated on WhatsApp around 6 am and a few of my classmates said they even got question papers of subjects for which exams are yet to be
held.”

On Tuesday, the board had issued a circular warning of legal action against those who indulge in such activities.