The ongoing Madhyamik Pariksha (secondary examination), witnessed a series of troubling incidents across North Bengal, including a road accident involving examinees, a case of malpractice at an examination centre, and the suspension of a teacher on charges of serious misconduct.
In Malda, two Madhyamik examinees were seriously injured on Tuesday when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a stationary dumper at place under Manikchak police station. The students, identified as Rajesh Khan and Rashid Khan, residents of Nurpur area, are students of Nurpur High School and were on their way to appear for the examination at Mathurapur High School.
Rajesh was riding the motorcycle, while Rashid was seated at the rear. Near Khayertala, the rider reportedly lost control of the bike, which rammed into the dumper parked on the roadside. Both sustained critical injuries. Local residents rushed them to Manikchak Rural Hospital, from where Rajesh was later referred to Malda Medical College and Hospital due to his deteriorating condition.
Meanwhile, in Cooch Behar district, a Madhyamik examinee was caught with a mobile phone inside an examination centre at Mathabhanga on Monday. The authorities immediately cancelled the student’s examination and reported the incident to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Despite the incident, the Mathematics examination recorded a high turnout in the district, with around 97 per cent of registered examinees appearing for the test.
On the other hand, the Deputy Secretary (Disciplinary Authority) of the WBBSE has suspended Md Sanwar Ali Parvej, an assistant teacher of Mathurapur BSS High School in Malda, following allegations of misconduct during the Madhyamik examination. According to the order issued by the Board, the teacher was on invigilation duty at Mathurapur Examination Centre under Manikchak block on 6 February.
He allegedly entered an examination room not assigned to him as per the approved duty chart and wrote answers on a loose sheet bearing the Madhyamik Examination Centre code, which is strictly prohibited. He is also accused of verbally dictating answers to examinees during the examination.
The board stated that the acts amounted to gross misconduct, violation of examination rules and conduct unbecoming of a teacher. Exercising powers under Rule 6(1)(b) of the WBBSE Discipline Rules, 2018, the authority placed him under suspension with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings.