Class 9 annual exam controversy: Confusion reported only in one School, says Education Dept

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The General Education Department has issued a clarification regarding reports about the distribution of question papers for the Class 9 annual examinations. The department conducted a preliminary inquiry into complaints that question papers for subjects such as arts, sports, health, and work education were sent via email. The investigation found that confusion in question paper distribution occurred only in one school in the Kozhikode district. The department stated that examinations were conducted smoothly in all other schools across the state and that there is no cause for concern.

Earlier reports had claimed that Class 9 exam question papers did not reach schools in Kannur and Kozhikode, and that teachers had to read out questions to students after receiving them via email. Following the incident, General Education Secretary K Vasuki has been assigned to conduct a detailed investigation.

KPSTA lashes out at exam process
The Kerala Pradesh School Teachers Association (KPSTA) strongly criticised the conduct of the examinations. The organisation said that sending question papers to schools via email through BRCs could affect the transparency of exams. It also pointed out that the omission of work education-related questions in the Class 9 question paper reflected negligence and called for public response on the issue.

The remarks were made during a meeting chaired by state president PK Aravindan. General Secretary B Sunil Kumar, Treasurer Vattappara Anil Kumar, and several other office bearers also spoke at the meeting.