O/L paper leak - not again, minister promises

Atapattu Bandara

The Examinations Department admitting that 19 multiple choice questions in the O/L Science “Part – I” paper were leaked, agreed to offer 19 marks to all students who sat for the O/L examination 2012, irrespective of their medium of instruction, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said during a media briefing yesterday.

He accepted that one employee who was attached to the confidential printing section of the Examinations Department for 17 years had been involved in the paper leak.

The suspect had given the paper to a tuition master before the exam. Police took into custody five persons, including the teacher over the incident, and was on the lookout for any others connected with it. The Academic Board of the department was in a dilemma whether to reset the exam paper or offer marks for leaked questions.

“Ultimately, a crucial decision was taken to award 19 marks to each student to avoid any injustice, following a lengthy discussion by the Board,” he said.

The Minister further said when he was informed that a number of complaints were coming from parents that the paper had been given out by a tuition master in the Gamapaha district, he informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President ordered an investigation in to the complaint lodged by parents and directed that if there was any leak, to bring the suspects to book despite their positions or status.

“We handed over the inquiry to the Police and CID and requested for an impartial inquiry and maximum effort to track down the suspects in this connection’, “he said.

“The CID found out that the teacher in question had obtained 19 multiple choice questions through the Examinations Department. The preparation of question papers are conducted under strict security and leaking of the paper was deemed impossible. This procedure was very confidential and even the Minister does not get involved when papers are being set, under any circumstances,” he said.

“But many employees get involved in the procedure at various other stages. So, it is difficult to take steps to avoid leaking”, he said.

But the department has done much to ensure security. That should be commended, “he said.

Meanwhile, Examination Commissioner General W M N J Pushpakumara said a special examination will be held on February 9 and 10, 2013 for students who were unable to sit the O/L Mathematics and Aesthetic Studies papers due to extreme weather conditions.

“The Department has identified that a proper mechanism should be in place to avoid paper leakages in the future. Discussions are going on to introduce a new system in the paper making, in order to avoid a repetition of an incident incident of this nature in the future, “he promised.

“ We are going to systematize the whole procedure so that no fraud or malpractices would occur in the future’, the Minister added.