Srinagar: Citing lack of funds for printing question papers, the J&K School Education Department ordered all schools under DIET to conduct the final examination for 8th standard online, similar to the practice during the Covid pandemic.
District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) is a nodal agency of the Government of India to provide academic and resource support with the special aim of improving primary education.
According to an order, the J&K State Council for Educational Research and Trainings (JKSCERT) issued a notice instructing the directors of the School Education Department (Jammu/Kashmir) to direct CEOs and other complex heads to print question papers in soft formats after receiving them via email through DIETs.
“DIETs with sufficient amount of funds have been asked to print additional copies of answer scripts from the Government Press as per the enrolment in their respective districts,” the order said.
However, teachers have expressed their worries stating there will be breach of secrecy with confidential material.
Speaking to local media agencies a teacher said, “Since there is no in-house machinery available inside Complex Heads, they will be forced to print confidential material at nearby printing shops which may compromise the secrecy and sanctity of the examination.”
“The printing shops can sell question papers,” he said.
“The Department has reduced the examination to ‘mockery’. It would be better to either not to conduct exams at all,” he further said.