Who is to blame for the exam paper leak?

The function of the parliamentary standing committees on various ministries is to ensure accountability of the government. The committees can recommend measures against any discrepancies and corruption that may crop up within the executive. However, instead of doing that, the committees tend to be the mouthpiece for the executive.

Chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on primary and mass education Motahar Hossain said at a meeting on Tuesday that the government was not responsible for the exam papers of primary school, up to class four being leaked out. Exams have been held up in some districts because of this exam paper leak. Under the circumstances, his statement will deliver to wrong message.

The parliamentary committee chairman Motahar Hossain tried to explain that the test papers were prepared at a local level. Does that mean the local administration is not a part of the primary education administration?

Even if the questions are drawn up at a local level, the local education officers are involved. As representatives of the government, they cannot evade responsibility of the question papers being leaked out. We want to ask the head of the parliamentary standing committee, what he and his committee are doing to ensure the accountability of the local administration. Exams have been held up in certain districts because of this question paper leak. If this trend continues, perhaps in future all exams will be suspended or cancelled.

Had the minister, secretary or anyone in the primary education administration spoken in such a manner that could be taken as an attempt at self-defence? But the head of the parliamentary standing committee should be the one asking the questions, demanding answers. The minister and the administration are there to give the answers. But if he plays the role of a minister, then what is the minister or the ministry’s public relations officer supposed to do?

At a juncture when this exam paper leakage is taking on epidemic dimensions, such irresponsible statements reflect a lack of responsibility towards the people and the country. We don’t want to see any chairperson or member of the parliamentary standing committees playing the part of the government’s spokesperson or public relations officer.

The government and the administration must take responsibility for the exam papers being leaked out. Zero tolerance must be exercised in this regard. Ignoring the problem has only exacerbated the situation. Unless action is taken against the accused, the situation will go totally out of hand.