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Term test paper leak in NCP reignites calls for overhaul of examination system
View(s):By Nathara Abeywickrema
The recent leak of a term test paper in the North Central Province (NCP) has reignited discussions about restoring trust and confidence in public examinations.
North Central Province education secretary Sirimevan Dharmasena said a school teacher from a school in Elayapattuwa in the Anuradhapura Education Zone had been interdicted over the incident. The teacher, who was responsible for preparing the Geography examination papers for grades 6 and 7, reportedly admitted to leaking the papers and answers to an unauthorised individual prior to the exam.
Following a preliminary investigation, provincial education authorities suspended the teacher on January 7.
Mr. Dharmasena added that the teacher would have to bear the entire cost of rescheduling the exam. He said once the probe is concluded, discussions will be held on effective measures that can be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Anuradhapura police said further investigations have been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) secretary Joseph Stalin emphasised the need for immediate and long-term measures to restore public confidence in the examination process. He criticised the current approach, pointing out that the only action taken by the Exams Department or any provincial exam authority after a paper leak is to arrest the individual responsible, who is typically released on bail within a few months. Mr. Stalin said priority should be given to tightening security around the handling and transportation of exam papers.
Proposals include encrypting and digitally distributing exam papers to minimise unauthorised access and introducing a tracking system to monitor the movement of materials from the printing press to the examination venues.
Investigations into how the leak occurred must be thorough and transparent. Authorities need to hold accountable not only the staff directly responsible for the leak but also individuals involved in the distribution and handling of exam papers.
Mr. Stalin said it was essential to give regular training to all individuals involved in the examination process to ensure that they understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality. Implementing more stringent background checks and accountability measures can also prevent potential misconduct. Public awareness campaigns can further strengthen the integrity of the system by educating the public on the importance of exam security and the consequences of malpractice.
He said the use of modern technologies should be explored to minimise human involvement, thereby reducing the risk of leaks and increasing the credibility of the examination process.
Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara, pointed out that the recurrence of exam paper leaks in government exams reflects a deeper issue than just flaws in the examination system itself. He said that these incidents highlight a more significant problem rooted in people’s mindsets.
He said a change in attitude toward integrity, ethics, and accountability are crucial to addressing the underlying causes of such breaches.
He also advocates for stricter penalties for any breaches related to public examinations.
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