Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh State Board Examination (APSBE) 2021-22 for Class VIII Social Science exam was cancelled on Wednesday following the question paper leak which was reported from West Kameng district.
The State authorities in Itanagar, acting promptly, took this decision after it was ‘confirmed’ that the question paper of Social Science exam was leaked somewhere in the State prior to the start of the exam.
The leaked paper was reportedly doing rounds in a social media platform. The information about today’s exam cancellation reached the examinees in an Itanagar center midway when the examination was in progress, said a teacher, who had to convey this ‘distressing’ news to his students.
“It is hereby informed to all the DDSEs of the district(s) that the information of leakage of question papers from some quarter has been received at around 12.20 pm. Hence, examination of Social Science paper of apsbe-2021-22 dtd 23/02/2022 stand cancelled. The subsequent date of conduct of this paper shall be intimated later. All DDSEs are directed to intimate all the school(s) immediately,” read a WT message from Otem Tayeng, Director of Elementary Education cum Chairman, APSBE, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh.
The paper leak incident was reported in Bomdila when it was noticed that a set of four question papers of APSBE 2021-22 for Social Science subject was doing rounds in WhatsApp, which was then immediately reported to West Kameng DDSE LD Komu.
“Following receipt of the information from the Block Education Officer, I immediately called for an enquiry to look into the matter,” the DDSE said. An enquiry board led by the Bomdila Town Magistrate was constituted, which then tallied the leaked question paper with that of the true copy of today’s question paper.
“The leaked copy turned out to be the same copy of the true question paper,” he said. The matter was then brought to the notice of the Director, Elementary Education and Commissioner, Education, who eventually cancelled the exam, he said.
In this regard, an FIR has been lodged with the Bomdila Police Station in the evening, the DDSE informed. The Class VIII Board examination, which commenced on February 17, was to conclude on Friday (February 24).
