Plus one exam: Questions in red, parents stage protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The higher secondary examination got into the news after the questions were typed in red color which proved arduous for students to read. It is the first time in the state that the question paper comes in a different color than black. The new rules were adopted for language papers including Hindi and Arabic, and the students took a lion's share of time to decipher the questions which came in red. The sudden change in rules has created unrest among the parent and the students concerned.

When the media countered the education minister with questions, the reply was icy. The minister asked what is the problem with the red color and told the rule was made to differentiate questions prepared for higher secondary students.

No such notification regarding the color change came to the forefront before the exams. The minister earlier conducted a teacher committee meeting and a circular was issued about the conduct of the exams but the red ink for questions was omitted from all circulars or notices. The teachers association of opposition parties has taken hold of the issue and will reach with strong protest regarding the steps taken to drag down the standard of the higher secondary examinations.