UP Board Exam Chaos: Parents Protest After Hindi Paper Mix-Up in Kanpur
In a significant disruption during the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Board examinations, parents of intermediate students reached an exam centre in Kanpur on Thursday and created a major ruckus. The protest stemmed from allegations of gross negligence during the Hindi exam conducted on the first day of the UP Board examinations on Wednesday.
Paper Distribution Error Sparks Controversy
The incident occurred at the Gurunanak Girls Inter College examination centre, where a critical administrative error took place. According to reports, the question papers of four arts students and four science students from JNPN Inter College were mistakenly exchanged. This resulted in science students receiving the General Hindi question paper instead of the standard Hindi paper, while arts students were given the Hindi paper instead of General Hindi.
Remarkably, the students allegedly solved the incorrect papers without raising any immediate objection or informing the room supervisors or centre administrator about the discrepancy. It was only after the first shift concluded that the gravity of the situation became apparent.
Parental Outrage and Allegations
Following the examination, the affected students returned to the centre accompanied by their parents, who expressed vehement outrage over the incident. The parents leveled serious allegations against the examination authorities, claiming their children were not given a proper opportunity to present their case and that the exam was conducted under undue pressure.
The parents further accused the room supervisors of negligence, with some alleging that the supervisors were sleeping during their duty hours. The protest continued into Thursday when parents again gathered at the exam centre, demanding accountability and justice for their children.
Police Intervention and Official Response
Upon being informed of the escalating situation, the Nazirabad police promptly reached the spot to manage the agitated parents. Law enforcement officials worked diligently to calm the protesters and ensure that the second shift examination proceeded without disruption.
Simultaneously, the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) dispatched a specialized team to engage with the concerned parents. The DIOS team assured the parents that the Uttar Pradesh Board had been formally notified about the paper mix-up incident and that students' academic interests would be protected.
DIOS Santosh Kumar Rai addressed reporters, stating clearly: "Room supervisors distributed wrong papers by mistake and the board has been informed about the same. Students need not worry, they will not be harmed." This official statement aimed to provide reassurance that appropriate measures would be taken to rectify the situation.
Broader Implications for Examination Integrity
This incident raises important questions about examination protocols and supervision standards during crucial board examinations. The exchange of question papers between arts and science students represents a significant administrative failure that could potentially impact students' academic performance and future prospects.
The protest highlights growing concerns among parents about examination transparency and accountability within the education system. As the UP Board examinations continue, authorities face increased pressure to implement stricter supervision measures and ensure such errors do not recur in future examination sessions.
