Barring a few hiccups, the fortnight-long Matriculation examinations conducted by Board of Secondary Education (BSE) ended earlier this week and the BSE is all set to begin evaluation of answer sheets from Tuesday. While nearly six lakh students appeared at the examinations in four different streams in about 3,000 centres across the State, at least 2,610 students were booked for “malpractice” for resorting to unfair means during the examinations. Similarly, actions against 25 teachers were taken, including an FIR against a headmaster, for dereliction of duties.
BSE President DP Nanda said eight invigilators were replaced and six of them were placed under suspension immediately. At least 17 centre superintendents w3ere replaced for dereliction of duties and three of them were placed under suspension. A headmaster in a school in Keonjhar district was arrested after an FIR was registered against him on the complaint of the District Education Officer. He had allegedly allowed a youth to appear at the examination impersonating as a bona fide student. The headmaster apparently had collected money from several students for this purpose, Nanda said.
Meanwhile, the BSE has engaged nearly 16,000 teachers as examiners in different categories for evaluation of answer sheets. The evaluation would be held in 70 centres, Nanda said, adding that steps are being taken to complete the evaluation in ten days. Sources said the results of the examinations are likely to be published by the end of April.