Raipur: In a major relief for students, the state education department announced that 7 bonus marks would be awarded to all Class 4 students in Surajpur district. This decision came after some questions in the annual Hindi examination paper, carrying 7 marks in total, were found to be out of syllabus and inconsistent with the region-specific language curriculum.
Background of the Issue
The discrepancy was highlighted in a TOI report on April 9, this year. It was alleged that the error not only impacted the performance of the students taking the exam but also resulted in needless confusion and exam stress.
Headmaster Flags the Problem
The issue hit the headlines after the headmaster of the Government Primary School, Chattidand, Gautam Sharma, wrote to the district education officer (DEO), Surajpur, flagging the issue and seeking immediate intervention. Sharma pointed out that while Surajpur falls in the Sarguja region, where the curriculum is typically based on the Sargujia dialect, the questions, totalling 7 marks, were set in the Chhattisgarhi language.
Demand for Clear Guidelines
The government school headmaster also urged the education department to come out with clear guidelines on individual region-specific curriculums and evaluation. He sought a fair resolution of the controversy involving the Hindi paper.
DEO Orders Bonus Marks
Acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, the DEO, Surajpur ordered the awarding of 7 bonus marks to all affected Class 4 students who wrote the annual Hindi exam. This followed the recommendation of a committee set up to look into complaints that questions, totalling 7 marks, fell outside the prescribed syllabus.
Specific Questions Covered
The affected students will receive a total of 7 bonus marks, covering three specific questions: Question 2 (1 mark), Question 11 (3 marks), and Question 12 (3 marks). This directive applies to all students currently enrolled in government schools across the district. Evaluators must grant these marks regardless of whether a student attempted the questions or not, as per the order issued by the DEO.
Instructions for Evaluators
The DEO also instructed all headmasters and evaluators to process answer scripts after factoring in the bonus marks and ensure timely declaration of results.
Reaction from Education Experts
Welcoming the decision to award bonus marks, education experts said it was in keeping with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the importance of mother tongue and regional language-based learning at the primary level.
