BRS working president KTR blames CBSE for hiring a firm linked to Telangana’s 2019 exam fiasco

Hyderabad: BRS working president K T Rama Rao alleged that despite Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Tech's controversial history, its current troubles over CBSE's digital evaluation platform, and the lessons from the Telangana experience, the CBSE ignored the warning signs and continued to accommodate an organisation with a questionable track record.

KTR on Saturday observed that the then BRS government had acted swiftly and responsibly after the Intermediate results fiasco. Based on the findings of a three-member committee constituted to investigate the issue, the officials concerned were removed from their positions and legal action was initiated against Globarena, the earlier avatar of Coempt Edu Tech.

The Hyderabad-based Coempt Edu Tech, currently under fire over CBSE's digital evaluation platform following multiple complaints, is no stranger to controversy.

The firm's troubled history dates back to 2019, when it operated under the name Globarena Technologies Private Limited and was engaged by the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education to digitise examination administration. That year, nearly 40 per cent, over 3.8 lakh of the 9.7 lakh candidates who appeared for the state Intermediate examinations failed, triggering widespread outrage. More than 20 students were reported to have died by suicide in the aftermath.

Within six months of the fallout, the firm rebranded itself as Coempt Edu Tech Private Limited.

K T Rama Rao extended his heartfelt appreciation to all the Class 12 students for courageously fighting back against the CBSE marks fiasco and demanding accountability from those in positions of power.

KTR said that the determination and courage displayed by students across the country in questioning the glaring irregularities in the evaluation process were truly inspiring. He noted that students and parents have every right to seek transparency and fairness when their future is at stake.

Expressing serious concern over the controversy, KTR pointed out that the company at the centre of the current CBSE marks fiasco, Globarena, is the very same organisation that was responsible for the Telangana Intermediate results debacle in 2019.

"It is unfortunate that Globarena, the same company that botched the Telangana Intermediate results in 2019, appears to have merely changed its name and gone on to secure an even bigger contract from the CBSE, only to create much larger chaos affecting students across the country," he said.

"For the record, when the Globarena fiasco happened in Telangana, the BRS government did not look the other way. We constituted a committee, acted on its findings, removed the responsible officials and took the company to court. It is shocking that the CBSE appears to have repeatedly modified rules and procedures only to accommodate a highly incompetent organisation. Such decisions have now put the future of lakhs of students at risk," he said.

Holding the Union government accountable for the crisis, KTR demanded answers from the Centre and the Union Education Ministry.

"The Union government must answer for this mess. The Education Minister must explain how a company with such a history was entrusted with a critical responsibility involving the future of millions of students," he said.

KTR asserted that the future of India cannot be built on a broken and rotten system where incompetence is rewarded and accountability is absent.

"The future of this country cannot be built on a broken and rotten system. Students deserve transparency, fairness and accountability. The Union government and CBSE must immediately address the grievances of students, rectify all errors and ensure that those responsible are held accountable," KTR said.