Prelims Fiasco

ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Dec 12:The Steering Committee constituted to seek justice for aspirants following the debacle of the APPSCCE prelims examination-2017, on Monday demanded immediate scrapping of the prelims examination and re-conduct of the same within three months as well as inquiry into the alleged large-scale irregularities in setting the question papers including resignation of the Chairman on moral ground.

Many eminent speakers and social activists also came out in support of the aggrieved students and addressed the presser held this afternoon at the press club.

Rajiv Gandhi University, Professors Dr. Nani Bath and Oten Moyong expressed their dismay at the manner this year’s prelims has been conducted and suggested for conducting it afresh considering the welfare of thousands who took the test.

Arguing on behalf of aspirants, Dr Bath said that the Commission must take responsibility for the blunder.

 “Such oversight while framing questions raises apprehension whether the papers were set by subject experts or allegedly prepared by staffers of the commission in a hurried manner,” he said.

“After fully examining the ‘errors’ in all question papers in consultation with various subject specialists and intellectuals as pointed out by the aspirants, we came to the conclusion that there are a lot of inconsistencies shown by paper setters while framing the question papers,” Dr. Bath informed.

Over the issue of copy pasting of questions from unreliable websites, he asserted that most of the people are unaware but it is illegal to copy questions from other unknown websites and punishable under law.

Asserting that it was wrong to issue xeroxed or photo copy of question sheets to students, he also raised apprehension that the papers might have been leaked.

Clarifying that the Steering Committee has no personal enmity against any of the Commission members, Professor, Oten Moyong observed that the Commission also failed to ensure moderation of question papers. 

“If the Commission had constituted a moderation committee, such errors could have been avoided. At least they should have let the questions be once checked by subject experts to evaluate whether it was set under prescribed guidelines of the examination,” he said.

He also went on to allege that the papers were not in any way set by an “expert”; adding that subject experts would not copy paste the questions with wrong answers again as featured in the question paper.

Clarifying that he was not questioning the integrity of paper setters, Padung however said that the system needs reformation.

He said that before conducting any examination it is necessary to first develop a model of questions papers that should be given first to subjects experts to analyze and examine it and later on the basis of which the question papers can be set.

He also stressed on framing a permanent examination calendar for the APPSC examination, so that students can plan, prepare and apply for such examination on time.

Further alleging that he did not expect such silly mistakes from the state’s prestigious public service commission, Moyong called for blacklisting those officials, who are behind setting the question papers, so that such mistake does not recur in near future.

Social activist Payi Gyadi said that officials who are involved should be declared “criminal” and sent behind bars for committing the blunder under strict section of law. He opined that CBI should intervene and probe the matter, so that those officers who are responsible for the mistake shouldn't be let free this time without punishment.

 “The properties, bank balances, business accounts etc of all Commission officials should be investigated by CBI to unearth the malpractices going on,” added Gyadi while urging the state government too to intervene in the matter.

 Alleging that making such “silly mistake” has become a trend on the part of the Commission, Arunachal Civil Society, Chairman, Patey Tayum  said that the sanctity of the examination is under suspicion now.

 Tayum pointed out that the claims to bring transparency in the functioning of the Commission after last year’s paper leakage case have been proved wrong by the latest fiasco.

 "Despite facing several criticisms in the past, the APPSC failed to learn its lesson,” he added demanding the government to nullify the examination and re-conduct the same.

The Committee also rejected the constitution of expert committee by the Commission, saying that when all mistakes are established before the people then why the need of a committee to verify it again.

It also expressed sadness over the adamant and casual response, which they allegedly received from Chairman of APPSC when they visited his office on Monday morning to inquire about any new development in the matter.

“This is just the beginning and we will continue our protest till all our issues are resolved,” said few aspirants leading the movement present during the press conference. The aspirants sought support from every stakeholder in seeking justice.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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