Scholarship Exam Flawed: No Correct Answers for Two MCQs, Activists Demand Full Marks
Educational activists in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have raised serious concerns regarding the scholarship examination held on February 25 for Class V students across Maharashtra. They assert that two multiple choice questions (MCQs) in the paper did not include the correct answer among the provided options, potentially disadvantaging thousands of young examinees.
Question on Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Found Incorrect
According to prominent educational activist Tukaram Saraf, one of the problematic questions pertained to the revered social reformer Sant Tukdoji Maharaj. The MCQ required students to identify his original name. "As per the official Balbharati textbooks and other historical records, Sant Tukdoji Maharaj's original name was Manik Bandoji Thakur. However, this correct answer was not listed among the four options given to the students during the exam," Saraf explained. This discrepancy highlights a significant oversight in the question-setting process.
Alphabetical Order Question Also Faulty
Activists have also identified a second flawed question. This item asked students to arrange five specific words in alphabetical order and determine which word would appear in the middle position. "It has been conclusively demonstrated that none of the four multiple-choice options provided for this question contained the correct answer," Saraf stated. This error compounds the examination's reliability issues.
Demands for Rectification and Accountability
In light of these errors, educational activists are calling for immediate corrective measures. "The examination authorities must award full marks to all students who attempted these two specific MCQs. Furthermore, it is imperative that paper setters exercise greater diligence and caution in the future to prevent such errors from recurring," Saraf demanded. The activists emphasize that students should not be penalized for institutional mistakes.
Official Response from Examination Council
The scholarship examination is conducted by the Pune-based Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), which sees participation from thousands of students statewide. MSCE Chairman Nandkumar Bedse addressed the concerns, stating that public feedback will be integral to resolving the issue. "We will publish the official answer key for the scholarship examination and formally invite suggestions and objections from all stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators. All accurate and verified feedback will be thoroughly considered before finalizing the marking scheme for the exam," Bedse told TOI.
This incident underscores the critical need for meticulous accuracy in high-stakes educational assessments. The MSCE's forthcoming review process will be closely watched to ensure fairness and maintain trust in the state's scholarship examination system.
