Surajpur Class 4 Hindi Exam Paper Ignites Controversy Over NEP Language Norms
A Hindi examination for Class 4 students in Surajpur has triggered widespread confusion among children, sparked a heated controversy, and ignited a debate over the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) language norms. The issue arose after it was discovered that questions worth 7 marks in the exam were set from a different regional curriculum, deviating from the prescribed syllabus.
Examination Lapse and Curriculum Discrepancy
The Hindi examination, conducted on March 30, reportedly included three questions carrying a total of 7 marks that fell outside the officially prescribed curriculum. These questions were based on Chhattisgarhi language lessons intended for plain regions such as Bilaspur, Raipur, and Durg. However, Surajpur is located in the Surguja division, where the local curriculum follows the Surgujia dialect, not Chhattisgarhi.
This significant error in the Class 4 Hindi annual examination paper has raised serious concerns about the paper-setting process and transparency within the state's education system. A formal complaint has been lodged with the Surajpur District Education Officer (DEO), highlighting the lapse and its implications.
Complaint and Departmental Divisions
The alleged goof-up came to light when Gautam Sharma, the headmaster of Chattidand Government Primary School in Surajpur district, wrote to the District Education Officer seeking urgent clarification. In his letter, Sharma stated that the discrepancy caused confusion and mental stress among students during the examination, adversely affecting their overall performance.
He has requested instructions on how to evaluate the 7 marks, suggesting either awarding grace marks to all affected students or adopting an alternative assessment method. Sharma claimed that the question papers were centrally distributed from Raipur and that other tribal-dominated districts, including Dantewada, Kanker, and Bastar in the Bastar division, as well as Jashpur in the Surguja division, received the same erroneous paper.
Sharma further explained, "I spoke to some teachers in Dantewada and Bastar and found that they received Hindi question papers containing 7-mark questions in Chhattisgarhi instead of Halbi in Bastar and Gondi in Kanker and Dantewada. Similarly, Class 4 students in Jashpur should have been asked questions in the Kurukh dialect." The letter emphasized that such lapses contradict the provisions of NEP 2020.
Authorities' Responses and NEP Interpretation
When questioned, Surajpur DEO Ajay Mishra stated he was unable to comment on the NEP provisions at present, citing his involvement in preparations for the Class 12 Hindi examination scheduled for April 10. He added that he would review the complaint after the examination.
Sanjay Gupta, Joint Director of the School Education Department in Surguja division, acknowledged provisions for education in local dialects in tribal regions but refrained from commenting on whether such provisions are mandatory under the NEP or applicable to question papers.
In contrast, H.R. Som, Joint Director of the Bastar division, asserted that question papers are prepared at the local level and handled by the respective DEOs. He added that there is no explicit provision in the NEP mandating questions in local dialects, highlighting a division in interpretation within the education department.
Expert Insights and Broader Implications
Rameshwar Bhagat, a 45-year-old expert who has worked extensively on the Kurukh dialect and authored around 250 books under the Muskan Pustakalay Yojana, provided further context. He noted that the implementation of NEP 2020 has faced a setback in Jashpur district, where Class 4 students were also asked questions in Chhattisgarhi during a Kurukh language examination.
Under NEP 2020, Kurukh was selected as the medium for multilingual education in Jashpur to preserve the tribal and cultural identity of the region. The Class 4 curriculum includes specific Kurukh lessons such as 'Ee Med Kalo Ta Kalo Jiya Amban Kalan', 'Nariyal Gahi Dam', and 'Krusos Gahi Ladai'.
Bhagat explained that the recent annual examination included three questions phrased in standard Chhattisgarhi. While Lariya, a dialect of Chhattisgarhi, is spoken in parts of Jashpur, standard Chhattisgarhi remains unfamiliar to many students, creating a linguistic barrier that caused significant difficulty during the exam.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in aligning examination practices with NEP guidelines, particularly in tribal and linguistically diverse regions. The debate continues as stakeholders call for clearer protocols and enhanced oversight to prevent similar errors in the future.
